PERPLEXITIES, 



An American Comedy — Drama, 



IN 



FOUR ACTS and SIX TABLEAUX. 



BY 



ALPHONSE M. YOCHUM 






PRINTED— NOT PUBLISHED. 



^ X >3:i.^V*^^.v ., Nv. X^ ^\«^ ^ \\ 



/a 






Enterea HCcordU,,' to Act of Congvc^s u, the yeav 1S79, by 

ALPHONSE M, YOCHUM. 

i„ a,e office of the Librarian of Congve.s, ot NVn,hi,>,ton, D. C, 

All Rights Reserved. 



PERPLEXITIES. 



ACT 1. TABLEAU I. 

Exterior of the Female College and Grounds in Indianapolit. — dl 
lege, with steps, door, call bell &c. R. — The Little Globe Hotel, vcith 
sign &c., ill the distance at back L — Rustic chairs vasese, <fec., L and 
at back. 

Knter Jayen Fanl, with violin. 

Jayen. He is here ! I have seen him ! The monster has safely 
arrived I Now can I despair, or, secure a cell at Dr. Phaeton's 
Asylum. Aurora is lost tome forever; Aurora, with thai sweet, 
that beautiful name, Elena Mayflower. In eight days she will be 
Madam Hartfeld — Oh, I shall go mad — mad ! She loves me, but it is 
no heroic love ; she will not die, no, no, not even elope with me } 
Oh, curses on that Ignatius Mohr, the paragon of the most cunnirg. 
Why did you desert your old friend ? Did I not write you the 
most movable letters, and still more, did I not advance your tra- 
eling expenses? Since fourteen days past you could have been 
here— here, within the bounds of fame for your precious talent, but 
you did not come, i)arbarian and my last hopes vanish. 

Enter Ignatius Mohr. 

Mohr. A great city indeed. Every other house — a restaurant 
or a wineliouse, or a coffee stand. The sidewalks are crowded with 
putrid fellows, whose philosophy is naught else but to blockade the 
l^athway of the industrious, and thus idly gaze at earths daily toils 
— Here is another of the same stripe, perchance, he cnn direct me 
to Jnyen Faul. — Excuse me sir. where — 'tis Jayen himself, >?iv€ 
me your hand ! (goes to shake hands with .Jayen, who does not 
recognize him.) 

dayen Who are you ? 

Mohr. Know me, Jayen? Ignatius Mohr ! 

dayen Mohr ! You have changed considerably since last I've 
seen you — strange, you have quite a large beard now, I did not 
recognize you. 



Mohr. Oh yes, the world you know is full of changes and a^^ 
the tide of time rolls on, so do we move on in years. 

Jayen. So you have come at last! 

Mohr. With heart and soul at your service. 

Jayen. Tis scarce a minute since I wished you to all the devils. 

Mohr. Be Cautious of what you say. I have brought all the 
devils with me. 

Jayen. Where have you been, why did you not come sooner? 

Mohr. Ha, from Chicago to Indianapolis is not a cat's leap. 

Jayen. But remember, a railway coacji is not a cat. 

Mohr. Not much better, I have traveled all this distance afoot. v 

Jayen. What, did I not send you money, and that in abundance 
too?' 

Mohr. But my debts were still ynore abimdant. I could not quit 
tlic city till I had paid all. In rain I offered to pawn my young 
w i fe. 

Jayen. How, you are married ? 

Mohr. Certainly. iShe has come with me, I have taught her to 
— (aside.) Avhat would I say, I must not betray myself — a — a she is 
nimble and sly, and perhaps we can make her useful. 

Jayen. And she too did walk this great distance? 

Mohr. Well that's a question ! It wouldn't do forme to tell 
yoI^ that, like some evil genius she hovered around me. 

Jayen. How did you gain a subsistence ? 

Mohr. In the most profitable manner certainly (aside.) tlmt 
you jhall soon learn. 

Jayen. Alas, Ignatius! you have come to late ! 

Mohr. Who has come too late? Never say too late. We shall 
see. speak, why did you summon me here, what Would you liave 
nie do? 

Jayen. I am in love, 

Mohr. Again I I was just going to tell you, that some of your 
former affections wliom you deserted, are still despairing. 

Jayen. 1 a;n in love for the first time — 

Mohr. You tell me that for the seventh ti me — 

Jayen. With an angel whom i wished to make my wife. 

Mohr. And what prevents you from doing so? 

Jayen. See thei-e (points to bouse k.) lives Maiiam De Ruyter, 
tb." proprietress of the Female Educational Institution, and with 
]'.•:• scholars is the object of my passion, 

Muhr. Doubtless yet "a child ? 

• ayen. Cliildhke, but no more a child , an orphan possessing 
great wealth — 

Mohr. (quickly) Keal estate, or — 

Jayen. And for whom I have a tender love and affection. 

M'>lir. That is secondary. Speak of the chief question ; lui- 
n.uae:-' 

Javen. Aurora Elena Mavflower! Her dving mother betrotheii 



her to some awkward, sill V, German farmer, in sliort the bride- 
groom arriu.^d to day, and to morrow they leave for Delphi where 
they will be married. 

Mohr. Hi? name? 

Jayen. Max Hartfelt ! 

Mohr. Wheugh ! a spicy One. 

Jayen. Li>ten to me : he is a native of Germany. About three 
years ago his father died, leaving him, the only heir, a large estate. 
which he subsequently disposed of and came to this country_ Here 
he mic'rated to the West, and settled down in the suburbs of Delplii, 
abovt^sixty miles from this place. There, h^ invested in a large 
farm, tlie earnings of which, in conjunction with the surplus of hi. 
inheritance, makes hJm the happy possessor of cons-derable wealth. 

Mohr Indeed !— What are his haunts, his peculiarities T 

Jayen. He has a remarkably gourdy appearance ; the tape in- 
dicates about six feet in circumference. , , , ^ 
Mohr. Enougii. I know uiy man. And you fear such a cod- 

^Jayen. As if the richest codfish do not sometimes, or gen.erally, 
snap up the most, amiable women 

Mohr I think I understana the whole status causae : 1 our l)e- 
loved is an Andromeda, thaeatened by some monster to be covered 
and devoured; you, are the Perseus striving to tree her and /shall 
liave the honor to represent your Pegasus. ^ 

Jayen. Right, right, but yoU come at the very moment in which 
the monster opens widely its jaws. ^ 

Mohr. The more honor will the victory bring. 

Jayen. Do you think so? 

Mohr. Love and cuauingness in league : what power can re- 

" ^^Jayen. Should you succeed, I would clasp you to my heart. 

Mohr. Nothing more? 

Jayen. And your beautiful wife too- 

Mohr. A great honor ! .,, i i 

Jayen. And a grateful love will remember you tiU death. 

Mohr. But, if that love dies first V 

Jayen. That you need not fear. ,^ ., - , a 

Mohr. Not I Yet such an occurrence would not be smgulai. a 
good round sum would be preferable. 

Jayen. Well, say fifty dollars. 

Mohr. (contemptuously) P'ifty dollars'. 

Jayen. Hundred dollars ! — ( Ignatius turns ami says nothing , 
Two hundred dollars-(:iside) that's my whole fortune, —what say 
vou ^ (no replv,— Jayen aside) Five hundred would be a cheap 
purchase, tho girl is rich, she is worth more than ten times that 
amount,— Five hundred dollars— 

Alohv. (turns suddenly) That\s a bargain, that's a premium. 
Kre twenty^four hours that pumpkin shall be far away from th)s 
place. 



6 



Jsyen. Egad, that would be a masterstroke. 

Mohr. Hut hold — to conduct a campaign, a good General must 
be acquainted with the country. So here lives Madam DeRuyter, 
and there is a restatirant — 

Jayen. The " Little Globe" hotel, and there (points oft" I.) 
Doctor Phaeton's asylum, famous for the cure of lunatics. 

Mohr. 0-oh ! doubtless he is well patronized? 

•Jayen. (Playfully) Yes, if fools would desire to be cured. 

Mohr. I will remember him. And what large building is that 
with the tower? 

Jayen. That is the City Hall and also the headquarters of (he 
poMce. 

Mohr. That will do for the present. But now I must have 
Home — (gesticulating meaning money.) 

Jaytn. Why, and what for ? 

Mohr. Secret expenditures certainly, for without money, Satan 
himself would be a poor devil. 

.layen. There (gives money) there's fifty dollars. 

Mohr. Now where can I find this hollow pretender? 

Jayen. He is at the Depot Hotel and will soon appear at this 
heaven's gate. 

Mohr Good. I shall be prepared for his reception. But, what 
would you with this yiolin, are you a dancing master? 

Jayen. Just so Ignatius, for the reason of which I gain admis- 
sion to Aurora's private apartment. 

Mohr. You will be my accomplice, you will play whatever part 
1 may assign to you ? 

Jayen. (With emphasy) Yes, I will play a part, but, listen to 
me: don't be serious, rememl-er — 7 only want you to discourage 
him, nauseate him of tliC city so that he will be glad to gel out of 
it again. Mark well my words, do him no harm, no bodily or 
moral injuries — or I may play another part/ 

Mohr. For the present you can jday the dancing master and 
leave me, alone with my genius. 

Jayeti. Remember what I have told you Ignatius— 

Mohr. Stop — do not call me Ignatius, 

Jayen, And why not pray ? 

Mohr. Oh, merely to keep niy name and the business you oon- 
ii<led to me, a secret, anything but Ignatius — Edmund will do. 

Jayen. For the present, farewell 1 Remember now, wiwm is the 
word, for neither Aurora nor her lover Max, shall know one word 
about this. (Has rang the dooi-.bell.) Adieu! and may Cupid in 
all his wit reveal hin)self to you (Door is opened by servant, exit 
Jayen in door. ) 

Mohr Now I am again in my vocation. What else could I 
•lo I All the maiiieiis virtuous, all women faithful — 1 could pilfer 
and deceive no longer; became to well known at the end, and un- 
ceasingly hamited after the death of my victim, was compelled to 
eave Chicago. I disappeared suddenly one night, and walked 



from there to tlii> place, thereby making it quite difficult to trace 
tne. Here, I have assumed another name, besides, this artifictat 
beard concenls the scar in ray face, which would otherwise betray 
ine; and with this new face I defy detection. There is now another 
path spread before me, ftnd — see, there's a huge object rolling this 
way — everybody seems astonished — he answers Jayen's description 
— as I live tis he, Max Hartfeld, nearing on the wings of love ! 
Max. (Without) Never mind, I fix em ! 

l^nter Max, exhausted, hat in hand, wipes prespiration from his 
brow and fans himself. 

Max. I wonder where I vas now? (sighs with the exclamation) 
Oh my ! Dis town Indianapolis is so big dat T beleive I loose de 
shtreet mit mineself 

Caracelii. (Has entered) Can I do anyting-a for-a you? (Taps 
31ax on shoulder, who turns quickly, i 

Max. (Surveys him( Ye-e-s ! 

Caracelii. What? — 

Max. Mind your own bustness I 

Caracelii. P'ine-a statue, Cicero — 

Max. I don kno him — gone away, I don't want some. 

(Exit Caracelii crying,) Statoots-a-La Napoleoue. 

Max. All hollow head?, dey don kno somedings. — Eflonly 
find me dat shtreet, Aurora she — 

Mohr, (Taps him on shoulder) Can T 
' Max. (Tuins quickly, striking Ignatius) Oh, I begs your bar- 
dou I 

Mohr. Certainly, certainly— 

Max, I dot you vas dat feller what sell dem paby dolls ! 

iMohr. Oh, that's alright ! You are a stranger here I presunie? 

Max. Y'es I vas, I ust come-i mit de Union Railroad Depot ! T 
vas Max Hartfeld von Delphi. I have some wool wat I sell, uii 
den I g3ue married. 

Mohr. Indeed! — Wool (»f sheep ? 

Max. Ye-e-s, shoor, in Delphi you kno, de sheeps don't cany 
cotton. 

Mohr. No, certainly nof. Have you chosen the bride ? 

Max. Aurora Mayflower, mit fourty dousand dollars, I bin 
rich mineself, awer I don't got enough yet. 

Mohr. Fathomless wisdom lies in these words. 

Max. Is dat so ? Well I like dat, dat wisdom comes to me 
from mineself you kno. 

Mohr. Do you love her ? 

Max. I love her ! I love her alltimes. un she is so sweet, so 
peautiful, so fair like milk un roses. Slie vas in Delphi onced,. in, 
de harvest time, awer I don't 8ee her, T take mine bride mit me 
ter-morrow in Delphi, un den we gone married. 

Mohr. Is she pretty? 



'8 

Max, Ah, she vas a nice iZ(?rl, no dollpaby ; for whatever I 
catch hold on, you see deni dogs? (shows lists,) 

Mohr. I see ! 

Max. Wen I gone down sl)treet I meet a womans wat have one 
basket full egg:*, I only shake mine hand one little bit — bloomps— 
un <lat basket lay in de mud. 1 must bay dem eggs I 

Mohr. That was irksome. 

Max. J don kno ! After wile I meet somebody else wat have 
un umbreller, he bump on mine head lui break dree libs, he want 
me to bay dal umbreller, ye-e-s I 

Mohr. Ah, that was hard. 

Max. Dat feller he say mine head Was so hard, in de hole town 
dere vas none so much like dat. 

Mohr. Certainly, he wns right, in fact it's a rarity, in perfect 
harmony with the entire body ; tis a lovely aspect, your bride will 
be perfectly enraptured. 

Max. En-vvat? — I don kno wat dat was. She is in a shool of 
education mit a France womans, you kno were dat is ? 

Mohr, Perhaps you mean Madam BeRuyter 1 

Max. Ye-e-s, Madame DeRuyter. J kno dat outside. 

Mohr. That is right here. Do you see that house? 

Maq. Ye-e-s, dat's it ! — Well now, I bin so near uf ilat was a 
shnake he bite me. (laughs, L-rosses R) I'm so tired ! 

Mohr, In a strange place one often recpjires such informatioJi ; 
if you desire a hired servant, T am at your command. 

Max. A hired servant? — Dat is so n)uch as one servant wat qot 
baid? ^ • 

Mohr. Uenerally speaking, yes, bu I'll r^erve par honeiw. 

Mjtx. Par how many, is dat mucJi ? 

Mohr. Some'imes very little. 

Max. Well, if it van wery little — 

Mohr. Pll not demand one cent, nieiely ihe honor lo serve such 
i;allantry hs yours. 

Max. Is dat so? Well you slialj hav dat honor, wy J :>jt ! 
Also you are mine servant ? 

Mohr. Exactly, yes I 

Max. Who Vas your nan>e ? 

Mohr. (A.side( Let me see, wliat is my nanie- Dawv ij — Spe;i> 
Dawvil ! 

Max. Shpitten Dev'l, gooi! 

Molii. No, no, ^peih Dawvil! 

Max. Oh I \vont forgot em. 

Mohr. I am known by everyliodv in Indianapolis, as an honc:*i 
and u{)riglit man. 

Max. Well mine honest Slipitten Devil, I'll give you some 
bustness right away, I got no ti)iie mineself, — You see dat baper? i 
got dat baper in Delphi von de Shustice of de pease. He toll vm , 
1 gif dat bapers to de bolice office in Indianapolis. J don kno 
where dat is. 1 — 1 — don kno nottings. 



MoJir. Give it to me, 1 will provide fur it. [Mux givt^ envt- 
lope containing letter of recoiuendatioa and credit.] 

Max. Do dat min*i dear Sljpitten Devil. [Advances to house j 

Molir. ProbAbly you will partake of a good meal witli your 
bride? 

Max, Ye-e s, I bin fond of meals, awer de beoples say, in de 
buarding sbool dey don't got much, un ye kno 1 like many. 

Mohr Then you may eat two meals. 

Max. [D. 'lighted] Two times! Will dot pas.s? 

Mobr. Certainly, and then I will show you the sights of tbt^ 
city. 

Ma.\, Alright, I gone eaten two times, un you gii* dat baper i^< 
de bolice office, den you comes quick right away back, I got son'e 
unner business vor you wen I gone married. [Catches hold of door 
knob and pushes.] 

Mohr. [Aside] That von shall never be. [Aloud to Max] Ring 
the bell! 

Max. Yes 1 will do dat! [pulls door knob] 

Mohr No, no, the call bell to your right. [Max catches hold oi 
bell knob] There, now pull. 

Max. Well now, 1 forgot all about it. [pulls violently, breaks 
wire, bell is heard to ring, Max almost falls backward down steps.] 

Mohr. You have pulled a little too hard ! 

Max. Well you kno. dat's my fashion. Hovv I gone in? 

Mohr. The servant will come to the door. [Servant opens door] 

Max. Don't forgot \vat I toll you I [exit in College] 

Mohr. Ha, ha, ha! That's a prime plant, an ignoramus, a spec- 
imen of awkwardness. [ Takes letter from envelope, reads it.] A 
letter of credit and recomendation to Max Hartfeld from a Delphi 
Xotary Public, and this, [finds a bank check on tinted paper, 
reads:] Bank of Delphi, Indiana, June Slst, pay to bearer, ISIis.-. 
Aurora Elena Mayflower, the sum of live thousand dollars on ac- 
count, within one week from date, signed Max Hartfelt. — Ha, ha, 
ha! Precious! This will prove a little bonanzn, sent to me by the 
devil, no doubt, if I but take advantage of the opportiniity. To 
work then at once — but mv promise to Jayen Paul — oh fie! — Til 
try it, I will succeed, I feel [ will succeed, for whenever 1 under- 
take anathing Ignatius Mohr never fails- Now to settle a plan of 
the campaign. — His departure to-morrow inust he prevented — let 
nie see — the letter of recommend;ition — the bank check — my wife 

[ have it. I'll straight forward to the police headquarters, and 
— [nearing entrance] tis one of the highly honored officers that 
comes this way, with a pair of eyes resembling interrogation points. 
I'll try to win him, for, whoever pisses through a strange village, 
san» comparaison, should take }trecuution and befriend the dogs, 
[retires— enter Bells Gap the officer, crosses — Mohr takes a $1 note 
from his vest pocket-] Pst, pst! sir! 

Officer. What would you with me? 

Mohr. Pardon my importunity — your an officer! 



10 

Officer. Yes sir, and am responsible for the peace and (niietnoss 
of the beat in which you are. 

Mohr. lam a stranger here, and find myself in a little per- 
]>lexity. 

Officer. Why, iiave you been robbed? 

Mohr. On the contrary, 1 liave found money! 

Officer. Found money! where, when, how much? 

Mohr. A one dollar note here in the street, I am terribly con- 
scientious and though it is but one dollar, it would burn on my 
soul were 1 to keep it, even should I know a millionaire had lost it. 

Officer. You're indeed an lionest man! 

Mohr, That is due to the spirit of tlie times. Take it in your 
care, and if nobody claims it, give it to the poor, [gives it.] 

Officer. Who are you, and where do you come from? 

Mohr. I am Max Hartfeld of Delphi, here are my recommen- 
dations, [gives letter which he received fVom Max.] 

Officer. [Reads and returns it] All well! How long will you 
remain? 

Mohr. That ilepends on circumstances; I have a lading of wool 
l«> dispose of. 

Ofticer. On business then! 

Mohr. 1 am. — We are novv in an era of unparalelled corruption 
and laxity of the public conscience, but I strive to live honest. 

Officer. The multitude lead such lives, but entirely de-^tUute of 
honor. 

Mohr. Yes, I have experienced that; even now there is a cer- 
tain /eWow here, who ims the audaucity to call himself Max Hart- 
feld. 

Officer. Indeed I 

Mohr. Contracts del)ts on my name and indulges in all nianntrs 
of rascality. 

Orticei-. He will be watched. 

Mohr. Besides he possesses the peculiarity of feig!iing the nust 
ignorant b ockhead. 

Officei-. Me shall not deceive me! — Does he bear any resem- 
blance to your honor? 

Mohr Not in the least. No comparison. >Ie a])pears as 
tlu)ugh he were stuffed with cornmeal and roast beef- 
Officer. Enough! If 1 ever detect him in uiy (juarters, lie 
shall be sjifely stored. — Adieu, my friend, should you at any time 
\\\n\ money again, am always ready to receive it. [Exit.] 

Mohr. [Con'emptibly] Indeed! — Ha, ha, ha! Orpheus was 
noted for his beautiful lyrical airs; but I'll wager he threw a bribe 
into the jaws of that hell-hound, which made him tame and tracta- 
ble as a lamb — I hope ] have prepared a suitable bath for his cor- 
pulency, the groonj. Now to coimsel with my wife; for loguish 
tricks without wonians cnninng, are tnipolislicd, [Exits.] 



11 



TABLEAU II. 

Aurora's private apai'tnient in DeRuyter^s College. Elegantly fur- 
nished. C D hacked by interiors. Piano B. Chairs, Tete-a tete 
L. Table L. Chair L of (J D that will break down. Lapdog 
asleep on tofa. Va.^e and rosebush and drawings on table L. — 
Jayen playing on violin accompanied by Aurora with piano, dift" 
covered. Aurora strikes discord, Jayen grows impatient and cross- 
es to C— 

Jayen. Confound that stupid idiot, Dutchman, he's likely to 
appear at any moment. 

Aurora. Why what is the matter Jayen, you are unusually im- 
patient to-day? 

Jayen. Oh, I don't know! [aside] I'm going crazy — Come now 
your dancing lesson! 

Aurora. I will not dance to-day, 'twill excite me too much —I 
am nervous. 

Jayen. [Aside] Ah, yes, the arrival of the groom puts her all 
ill a flurry. — Aurora, come here! 

Aurora. What is it, Jayen? 

Jayen. Are you content to share your fortunes and future joy 
and happiness with Max Hartfeld? 

Aurora. Ah yes, willing and content ! Tis the will of my poor 
dead moiher; for on her deathbed she summoned me to her side, 
and grasping me with her cold hands, she >*aid: 'Alas, my poor 
child, I must leave you now, remember the little prayer I have 
always taught you, love your neighbor as yourself, and never — 
never betray your honor." Then placing my hand into a dear 
friend's who stood at her bedside, she continued to him: " Be Iho.i 
ever a friend and protector to my child, promise to make her, 
yours" — that man was Max Hartfeld, this he did. Then bidding 
us to kneel at her side, she raised her aged hand and blessed us 
both — and in that blessing there is a future, never to cease happi- 
ness — and saying: " Now can I die content; soon will I be in the 
land of promise, in whose glory we may all some day repose, 
where all is bright; where no storm beats, and the unclouded sky 
shines on its own brightness." A last sigh — and I was an orphan. 
— I will now, in obedience, fulfill my mother's last wish! "J'were 
more profitable for you to count the numberless stars, than to waste 
your affections on me. I must, I will obey my mother. 

Servant appears at C D, 

Servant. There is a gentleman in the parlor, says Aurora is his 
bride and desires to see her! 

Aurora. Tis he, send him up immediately! [exit servant. Au- 
rora runs to piano] 

Jayen. Aurora, do not torture me thus; say that, you love me! 

Aurora. Certainlv I do — I love everybody; 'tis a Christian's 
principle — 'twas my beloved mother's dally prayer. But, the love 



12 



that 1 bear him, will make me hai>py, and to-day— my hiilhdu} - 
le comes to claim my hand. 

Jayen. You have told me that three weeks agf>." But, consider 
n.e, a handsome and shapelv young man, while he- 
Aurora. Is preferable to you. He is a good soul, only a littlt 
awkward, and not acquainted with the customary usages of society 
and etiquette. — but 1 will cultivate him; and anent that, he pos- 
Reuses virtues which you cannot boast of. [Aurora plays. Max has 
been conducted on by servant who immediately exits again. Max 
8it.« on chair which breaks down. Aurora screams, rises and sees 
Max on floor. She looks at Jayen a moment in embarrasment ] 

Max. Ha, ha, ha! dat shair he set me down! — Kelle Auroui 
how you vas? 

Aurora. Why Max what di<l you do? 

Max. Oh pooty low; how vas you? 

Aurora. You sat down too rudely and have broken tiie ciiair! 

Max. Well you kno, dats my fashion. Mr. Figojinus. wen yon 
blease slitand me up? 

Jayen. With pleasure. [Plays on violin.] 

Max. Wat you do mit dat tiddle, I vas no danzbear! 

dayen. Not? I beg your j^ardon! [delighted] 

Aurora. [Has assi.sted him to rise] Mr. Faul, I am pleased to 
present you to Mr. Hartfeld; Mr. Hartfeld, this is Mr. Faul! 

Max. Is it?— Well I don't kno him. [Walks L upsetting 
flowerpot on Aurora's drawing] 

Aurora. [Crosses, takes drawing and goes t'^ C] \'ou monster. 
you soileii my drawing, you are terrible awkward! 

Max. Well you kno Aurora, dat's my fashion. 

Aurora. I want you to be more careful after this, and look 
wtiere you are going. 

Jayen. [Distinctly] That's right Aurora, pepper him! 

Miix. [Eyes Jayen] 

Aurora. What's this, there's blood upon it? 

Max. Veil, down shtairs in de barjor dere was a green robin on 
a -litick — I never see a robin like dat mit my life — he toll me he 
want some grackers; he riot I vas tame un I gif bim mine paw. 
iiwer dat rascal he bite me. T hauled oflf un hit em one~I tell you 
h • don't bite me not any no more. 

Aurora. He speaks of mv parrot— 1 hope vou have not killed 
ii! [Rushes ofl'C D] 

Mnx. Wen de cats don't take em avay, he vas dere yet. — Se wnt 
you maken here mit dat figolin? 

.Jayen. [Aside] I'd like to tell him something! — I am Miss 
Aurora's private instructor — 

Max. Vat, you shtruck Aurora — 

.Jayen. No, no, I am teaching her to sing, dance and plav. 

Max. Oh. is dat go! he, he, he! Well [ like dat. Im. ha J.a! 



13 



Ke-ewter Aurora. 

• 

Aurora. How unfortunate I am! You cruel wretch, you have 
murdered my pet. [Drops on cliair] 

Max. Aurora mine dear, don you gry, I gif you some pigeoiis 
wat laugh all de time — laughen pigeons you kno, ye e-s! dey bin 
tame un dont bite so much like dal dem robinsi 

Aurora, (Jumps up) What robin? 'Twas a parrot! 

Max. A pair! no sir, I only make dat one dead. 

Aurora. (Impatiently) No! 1 said it was a parrot, my favorite 
domestic pet. 

Max. In bed! wen I hit em, he vas on a shtick. 

Aurora. Oh, I could scratch your eyes out! 

Jayen. (To Aurora) That's right, a little more pepper. 

Aurora. There, that will do, leave us, go about jour bu.«iness. 
((ioes to Max, he embraces her.) 

Max, Ah, Aurora, you bin a goot gerl un I love you. To-day 
vas your birthday, don't it? Ah, I don't forgot em, un 1 makes 
you un bresent. 

Aurora. Yes, my poor mother — may she rest — set forth thi« 
day which makes you mine. Dear Max I love you! 

Max. Now dat word makes me happiness. (Kisses her, looks at 
Jayen l again, but he has crossed to R, Max then looks R) Ha, 
lia, hal aat's right, a little more peffer/ — Aurora, you makes me 
some musid on dat — on dat — Clavier. 

Aurora. With the greatest delight. (Tuns to piano) Come here 
-Max, sit beside*me! 

Max. (Goes to sit, but is afraid of breaking another chair, 
looks at the one he has broketi) I-I sooner shtand me. (Sees 
Jayen's hat on piano, tries it on) 

Jayen. Beg your pardon, that's my hat. 

Max, Oh. he wont shteal me. 

Jayen. (Takes his hat aud goes to c d) Curses on himi Bat 
r!l have some satisfaction, I'll teaze him a trifle, he's silly enough 
lo do anything I may challenge him. — Are you a good marksman? 
Max. Don you see 1 vas, ycu dink 1 bin a shild?| 

Jayen. I wll place my hand on tnis table — so, can you give it 
a severe blow and not misS the mark? 

Max. I can do dat, un you never hnd et oud. (Blows on 
Jayen's hand) 

Jayen No, no, strike with your hand. 

Max, Wy don you say so, (Strikes at Jayen's hand, he with- 
draws it and Max strikes the table. Jayen laughs. Max rexedly 
imitates him and seizes Jayen by the neck) You laugh me oud, 
r shoke you. (Shakes him) Wat vor you make me dat foolish- 
ne.ss? — You dink a Dutchman is a geese? 

Jayen. / was only joking/ 

Max. Vas you, so vas 1 ! (Shakes him again then throws him 
off) How you like dat? Shtick et in your pocket, un wen you 
loose em, comes back I gif 3'ou some more. 



14 



J;iyen. Yoii monster- 
Max. Oh, I vas only shaken! • 

Jayen. You've almost strangled me. 

Max. Veil you kno, dat's my fashion. 

Jayen. He has a grip like a vice! (Going to c d) !N"ever mind, 
lil be even with you yet; I'll meet you again, and, by heaven, 
I'll tear you to pieces. (Rushes off C d) 

Max. Come back here oder I turn you outride in — dat feller he 
run like blixen. 

Aurora. (Leads him to fiont) I want to tell you something — 
if Madam — 

Max. Wat's de use dat feller — uf he dont look oiul I n»eet him 
Ln T — 

Aurora. Never mind that now, listen to me — 

Max. Wat's de use dat feller make me dat foolishness un hit me 
(;n de dable! Oo-oo — it was a goot ding he gone out oder I tear 
him mit pieces. 

Aurora. Listen to me! — If Madam DeKuyler should chance to 
come in this room, make yourself agree ble, l)e careful of what 
you do, don't be awkward and commit another mit^cbief remember. 
I want 10 cultivate and introduce you in society. (Chuckles him 
under the chin) You will do this, 1 know you will and then I 
v/ill kiss you. 

Max. Veil, you can do dat right avay. 

Aurora. Sb! she comes. 

Pinter Madam DeKuyter. 

'Aurora runs to meet her, brings lier to (.■, call- Max, he turn^ 
n A'kwardly and against DeKuyter.) 

DeRiiyter. Ah, Mr. Hartfeld, you are most welcome! Aurora. 
d"d you give your intended consort a suitable reception'? 

Aurora. (Courtseying to Max) Most assuredly 1 did. (Tap- 
}:ini on cheek, bows and crosses) 

Max. (Heartily imitates her, almost falling) Wat's de matter 
on you, (to DeKuyter) you bin not well? Wy don you vas like 
me? — You con^e ia Delphi onced, in de country, wen I bin dere 
irjit mine Aurora, un in four weeks I send you home so fat like de 
geese von de shtoppels. (Aurora retires, blushing with shame) 

DeKuyter. T am extraordinarily obliged to you. (Crosse^. 
Aside) Faults of ignorance are excusable— Sit down and be com- 
f rtable. 

Max. i Looks at broken chair tlien front of himself on fl-jori 1 
b 11 afraid on dat shairs! 

DeKuyter. Then be seated on the sofa. 

Max." Well dat's so! 1 will do dat. (Sits on sofa l on De 
■ uvter's lapdog sleeping there, who squeiks) Wat vas dat .squeak 
en?" 

DeRuyter. For heaven's sake, \ hope you've not sat on m-- 
Vvanchette! 



15 

Max. No sir! who vas your Franchette? 

DeRuyter My lapdogl My sA'eet pet! Get up, you monster, 
get up I say I 

Max Hold on, dat done gone so fast. ( Brings small dog out, 
liulding it up looks at a) D-it's so, one little dog-beast ! (Drops it) 
.Sticks all fours out. 

DeRuyter. (Takes it up) Dead I — Oh, T wish you were in iht' 
k>neliness of the Great Desert I 

Max. Wat I make dere? 

DeRuyter. He is dead, my idol, my all! 

Max. I'st be quiet, I gif you one wat vas tive times bigger as 
dat. 

DeRuyter. Vou are a doit, sir, a barbarous dolt ! 

Max I don't kno wat at vas. In Delphi de dogS don't shieep 
on de sofa. 

DeRuyter. That will do I Don't drive me to madness.— These 
precious renuiins! 1 will take you out of sight of this heartless 
miscreant; bedew you with my tears, and curse the murderer who 
has robbed me of n)y joy forever! (Exit) 

Max. (Rises, watches her off) Dat womans talk ust like a 
book. 

Aurora. Max, come here! 

Max. Wat you vant? 

Aurora. Nt)w that we are alone, I must tell you, that, you l)e- 
haved in the most disagreeable manner. 

i\Iax. Yaw mine Gott in Himmel, wat have I do? 

Aurora You have been bungling extremely again. [ told you 
to be careful, and despite that, you crushed my mistress' lapdog. 

Max. Well you kno dai's my fashion. 

Aurora. Well but you know, I want you to wean that fashion. 

Max. Well dat's so. You vas — oh, you vas only shoken? 

Aurora. No, 1 mean what I say. 

Max. You vas mad on me denV 

Aurora . Don't say mad, but angry. 

Max. Ye-e-s, I vas hungry, I bin — 

Aurora. You misunderstood me. When you are, as you teim 
it, mad, you must say, I am angry. 

Max. Well I don't kno ut you vas engry, dat's de reason wat 
vor I ask you. 

Aurora. Oh, no, but your present ways and habits must be 
liroken. I take great interest in you and will exercise you every 
dav 

Max. Aurora you bin a goot gerl, 1 love you! 

Aurora. And I love you in return. 

Max. To-day vas your birthday un I bring one bresent vor you, 
von Delphi. You kno wat at vasV 

Aurora. Xo! 

Max. (Gives her a paper) Here is un sheck on de Bank of Deb 
phi. for five-dougnnd dollars, dat vas all yours. 



16 



Aurora. A present of live tboiisaud dollars? (Opens, looks vt 
it) 

.) ay e 11 . [ A p pea is a t C 1> ] 

Max. Dat's wat J toll you, ust look on dal bapers. 

Aurora. Are yon tellinji me a lalst-liooci. or — 

^lax. Wat, Aniora! mine dear M\i1ter she always say, " Max, 
never tell a lie" — yovi dink 1 loll you soMiedin^s den wat was mti 
>o? 

Aurora. Tlien do you pretend to call this a bank check ? 

Max. Ye-e-s, dat vas — no, I vas a niistake ha, iia, ha! (Ex- 
amines other papers and pockets) I show you! — I believe I loose 
ine dat sheck! — I don kno Jiow <iat vas — J don't loose en), dat's a 
shoor ding — hold on] find em! (Gets his hat and goes to CD. 
.lay en disappears) Aurora, I gone away, I dink I make one mis- 
lake un gif <lat sheek to mine servant, un 1 don't kno <iat. (Exit 
Max — Jayen a}>pears — Max returns— Jayen disappears) Amora, 
1 will find him un J comes hack right awav. (Kisses her) Goot 
bye! (Exits — .Jayen re-rppears — re-enter Max — Jayen again dis- 
ajipears) Aurora, now I dink on it. I la}' me dat sheck on dis 
table — no! Don't bin alone, I conges back right avay, goot bye! 
i V.\\i — Jayen return.s, runs to piano, takes his violin, which he had 
forgotten, when Max re-enters .igain) Aurora, it vns a goOt ding 
dat feller mit at figolin was gone ond riffht away, odei- — (sees 
Jayen 'who is about to exit with his violin. Max brings him down) 
Mold on I >how yon s oujcdings! (Takes violin and hauls oft", 
Jayen dodges him as the violin descends, the momentum throwing 
Max to the floor — Comic position— Jayen at door triumphant — 
Aurora stands ama/e<l — Tableau— Quick drop. 

ACT 11. TABLEAU III. 

Scene I. Street — Dr. Phaeton's Jnmne .4sylum with practicable door 
Ignatin-t discovered knocking at door, vhich is opened by Jfr. Phae- 
ton in dresfiing goica. 

Mohr. 1 desire to see Dr. I'haeton. 

Doctor. 'Tis he who now addresses you. 

Mohr. I have heard of your efficiency in the curing of lunatics; 
do you make that a specialty? 

Doctor. Yes sir ! and I have had the good fortune of restoring 
^cores of ther)) back to society again. My practice is coniined 
chiefly, to the quiet insanity of a fixed idea : wjio imagine they 
nre peisons of <iistinciion and the like IbjW <'an 1 serve you? 
Do yOu perhaps feel such paroxisms loo ? 

Mohr. No sir, not I ! but my uncle, my poor uucde, the tamily 
of Linden may be known to y(«u ? 

Doctor: 1 dou't remember such a name. 

Mohr. My uncle, Mr; Linden has had the misfortune to lose 
his good senses ; he imagines he is a farmer by the nan»e of ^[ax 
llarttiebl lie was quiet ai that for a time, but now lie Iniis lixed 



17 

it in his head that he is a bridegroom — escaped, and ran straipcht- 
forward into the city to be married, consequently, we concluded 
to subject him to your treatment 

Doctor: Certainly. Send him to me under some pretext; 
Mohr. We shall— I will pay you partly in advance (pays him 
money.) 
Doctor. Bring him immediately, the sooner — the better. 
Mohr. In ten minutes he will be in your care. (exit Doctor.) 
Excellent ! The Doctor will Iock him up for two or three days at 
least: affording me ample time to take my wife to Delphi — now 
for the crafy man. (Advances right when enterr Max.) Why 
3Iax, what is the matter, you seem so ardent ? 

Max. I bin so glad I find you mine dear! I got one ?heck for 
five dousand dollars, un I lose me dat sheck, dink I gif you dat 
sheck mid at unner bapers. 

Mohr. No Max, there was but one paper in the envelope you 
gave me and that I have disposed of, according to your order. 
But Max, you look very bad, you are not well. 

Well, it was no wonder ust now, wen I die light away. Ef 1 
only kno were dat sheck was. Aurora will gone mad on me— she 
dink I toll her she Mras a liar ! 

Mohr. (aside) Very probably she will ! Leave that to me, 1 
will tiind it if you have lost it here. But you look terrible bad 
indeed, take my advice and go to some Doctor. 

Max. Ye-e'-s, dat big drubles — un I bin so hungry, wen I vas 
a bull I don't shtand em. 

Mohr. Therefore ! Fortunately there is a Doctor right here, 
go to him and let him prescribe for you. 
3Iax. May be he sharge me too many ? 

Mohr. Oh no, Max, it's a free — State Institution, all for the 
sake of huraanitv. 

Max. Well mine dear servant, den I will do dat. When you 
find me dat sheck — (pushing at door.) 

Mohr. I will bring it to you, certainly (aside) 1 won't. 
Knock at the door ! 

Max. Well dat's so. (knocks.) 

Mohr. You may wait in there till I return (aside), but that 
will never be. 

Max. Shoor, and den me gone eaten soniedings. (door opens,) 
adam enters, pushes Max away from the door, runs forward, cutting 
capers. Max turns, flourishing his fists in door.) You comes back 
here, order I— (Adam pushes him in quickly and follows.) 

Mohr. Ha, ha, ha ! Tis a pity that I cannot witness the ensu- 
ing scene, but, I have difterent petty matters to attend to and must 
be off. (exit in haste.) 

SCENE 11, 
Boom in Dr. Phaeton's Asylum. Min Cuttt in Kingly attire and 
crown on head, and Lank, both seated— discovered. Max is shoved 
on by Adam. 



Adam. Here is company for you. The Doctor will be here di- 
rectly. (Exit) 

Max. (Looks at the lunatics who are perfectly motionless) Dem 
fellers dont say nottinis;s — he dont move his eyes — ha. ha^ iia! dey 
• Ion kno 1 vas here. He got one cap on his head, wat look so much 
like king David, wat 1 see in de bible. Maybe dey vas only doU- 
l)abie.*, I find em out! (Advances to Lank) 

Lank. (Shouts) Don't come too near me! 

Max. Vor wat for? 

Lank. Don't you see that I am of glass? 

Max. Von gless? 

Lank. Yes sir, and of the finest quality! 

Max. Is dat possible! — Veil it woukPnt vas a pad idea vven all 
de beoples Tas von gless, den we see dat pad blood a-a-gone round 
!^o much — circuliren. Hut I dink you vas pooty dim gless. (Looks 
at him closely) 

Lank. For heaven's sake I say, don't come too near ni' I 

Max. Alright ! — Den I gone to dis feller. (Nearing Min Cutts) 

Cutts. (Harshly) Keep at a distance! 

Max, You vas von gless too? 

Cutis. I am King Cambysi s of Persia; I have concjuered 
Ivgypt ! 

>L»x. You —is dat so! VVell 1 dink y(»u vas - 

(Jutts. Slave, down on your knees, or 1 will crush thee! 

Max. I begs your bardon, dut vas too iiard on me. 

Cutts. You shall be a highpriesi of Isis! 

Max. No sir, no humbuck! I bin a goot gristian (Aside) I 
wonder wat vor kind beoples is dat? — Here vas dat feller wat bring 
me in. 

Enter Adam, dives to C. 

Adam. The Doctor will be here soon! 

Max. (Taking Adam aside) Who vas dem fellers dere? 

Adam. P<»or unfortunates who have lost their senses. 

Mnx. Grazy? 

Adam. And are und<-r the treatment of Doctor Phaeton. 

Max. Well I dink we bet'er gone outside den. 

Adam. Never ftar, they are entirely harmless. We may thank 
God that we still retain our good senses. ' 

Max Ye e-s!— Dank God ! 

Adam. He was disapp unted in love, and now imagines he i.s of 
glass. 

Max. Dat's wat he toll me. 

Adam. And he was form* riy a powerful fanatic, blasphemy and 
aflrontery vvere hit- daily prayers, and finally his brain became un- 
settled. 

Max. He toll ine he vas <le King von Persien. 

Adam. Probably be is, but not King Cambyses, he cannot be, 
because his father. King Cyrus needs first must know it, and this 
King ( 'vrns is mygi-if ! (Strities towards Max) 



19 



Max. (Starts — aside) Here is an unner dam fool ! — You — you 
va King Cyrup? I dot you vas a monkey ou a slitick! 

Adam. (Majestically stepping toward Max) Did you not re- 
cognize my A/aje?ty immediately? 

Max. (Retiring near Lank) No sir, I bin his master. 

Lank! Don't come too near me! 

Max. Mine gootness, nein! 

Adam. I have made King Croesus my prisoner. 

Max. He gif you one bresent? Is dat so! 

Adam. The Babylonian Jews I privileged to return to their 
homes. 

Max. Ye-C'S, I gone home ter-morrow! (Still backed by Adam 
Max nears Cutts) 

Cutts. Keep at a distance! 

Max. Mine gootness, I believe I vas in a mad house! 

Enter Doctor Phaeton. 

Max. You vas de Doctor? 

Doctor, I am. 

Max. I bin gled you vas here. Wat you make mit all dem 
grazy fools here? 

Doctor. Do you wish to be acquainted with them? 

Max. No sir; I dink I kno dem pooty well now. 

Doctor. May I ask your name? 

Max. I vas Max Hartfeld von Delphi; I got one bride here wat 
I take home mit myself, un den I gone married. 

Doctor. Yes, yes! I know it all. Adam, get the key of No. 10 
and bring it to me. The bars at the door and window are in a 
good condition? 

Adam, They are. (Exit) 

Max. Wat — you gone lock me up un shtick me in? 

Doctor. I generally begin cautiously with patients under your 
circumstances 

Max. Dances — wat for kind dances? 

Doctor. Where fixed ideas have taken root, we must be serious. 

Max. Mine Gott in liimmel, I vas de honest Max Hartfeld von 
Del- 
Doctor. (Serious) You tell me that for the last time. Y'ou are 
Mr. Linden, you see — I know you. 

Max. I vas Mr. Linden! (Aside) I believe dat feller vas graZy 
too! — I wonder where de Doctor vas- -I must gif in oder he gone 
mad. 

Doctor. W^ell sir, who are you? 

Max. (Friendly) Mr. Linden, certainly. 

Kc'-enter Adam with key. 

Adam, The key of No. 16. 

Doctor. Now Mr. Linden, follow me! 

Max. Vat ? 



20 



Doctor. Follow me/ 

Max. (Aside) Maybe he dink I vas a dam fool too! — Wen you 
l»l«?ase Doctor — you vas de Doctor? 

Doctor. Certainly I am. 

Max. De Doctor of King Cambyses? 

Adam. [Strides to Max and taps him on shoulder] Of King 
Cyrtis! 

Max. Well dat's so! Yon see I vas not goot for dis shentle 
comlnmy. 1 vas only un farmer, Max Hart — 

Doctor. [Threatening[ Who are yon, whom? 

Max. Mr. Linden, sboor! [Aside, going to door] I drimbles 
hU over. 

Doctor. Where are you going? 

Max. I gone outside un liunt mine Shpitten Devil. 

Doctor. You will not leave this plaee. You are entrusted to 
njy care. 

Max. No sir, 1 dont care. ] vas not well, I »;et some pad blood 
[aside] after while. — You gif me un pioscripticn, I git you sixteen 
cent. 

Doctor. In the first weeks I don't prescribe, but only observe. 

Max. Wat, you dink 1 shtay here two oder dree weeks? 

Doctor. At least two or three months. 

Max. You dink I slitay here two oder dree months, were de 
hjnadics vas all over de blace? — Mine bustness, you kno I vas a 
farmer — 

Doctor. What are you, what are you? 

Max. Well, de hole world knows dat I vas Mr. Linden. Awer 
Auro mine bride — 

Doctor, You have no bride. 

Max. Vat— well dat's so! 

Doctor. You must dismiss that from vour mind also. Ami 
now, save all further conditions — march to No. 16. 

Lank. March! 

Cutis. March! 

Max. [Aside] Now it vas time I gone oud ! 

Doctor Well, well ! 

Max. [Still aside] Knifes un bishtols dem fools dont got, un 
mine dogs — [Meaning his fists] 

J) )Ctor. What, are you murmuring? 

Max. I fix em!— Doctor un all your Kings, goot bye! [Ad- 
VMii<;es to dooi] 

Doctor. Adam stop him! [Adam stands front of door] 

Max. [Shakes Doctor by Uie neck and forces him to sit down on 
Hoor] 

Doctor. Cutts anci Lank seize him! [Cntts merely rises and 
assumes tlramatic attitude and points to C of stage— Lank steals to 
floor — Adam attacks Max, when Max throws him against Lank 
who is about to exit] 



21 



TABLEAU IV. 

Scene I. — Sitting room in the "Little Globe Hotel " — Table and 
Chairs R, also L — Call bell on table. 

Enter Max and Ignatius Mohr. 

Max. No sir, mine dear serwant, I dont like dis town, Indian- 
apolis. In Delphi, de cows un oxes gone out my way wen I comes 
past, un here — de fellers m it wheelbarrows runs me over un de 
niooles un shakass day whisper in mine ears; I don like dat. — 
Awer se, vor wat vor you send me in dat dog-gone madhouse? 

Mohr. Why, Doctor Phaeton is one of the most renowned phy- 
sicians in all Indianapolis! 

Max. Ye-e-s, awer I dont see dat Doctor at all — all grazy beo- 
ples, King Cyrnp, King Cambyses, one feller von gless un som« 
imner dam fool, wat all times say I vas Mr. Linden, ye-e-s! 

Mohr. [Hypocritically smiling] Probably the Doctor was not 
at home You may wait about fifteen minutes and — 

Max Un den I gone in again? You dink I vas grazy too? 
No sir, I bin gled I vas oud ! — You find me dat sheck? [Sits at 
table] 

Mohr. Not yet, MaxI don't worry about that check, I'll find — 1 
will inquire— 

Max. I dont care many vor dat sheck, awer you see, wen I 
comes back un tell Aurora I dont got at sheck, she will toll me I 
fool her un I vas a liar! I don like dat. 
Mohr. [Aside] But precisely I do! 

Max; Un wen you dont find at sheck soon, pooty quick. I tell 
de Telegraph office, un he gone in Delphi, on de Saving Bank, ust 
like blixen un shtop de bayment von dat sheck. 

Mohr. [Aside] Indeed ! that is, provided I give you an oppor- 
tunity 

Max. I bin so hungry as I never was before! 

Mohr. You may order anything you desire — here. [Taps call 
bell] 

Max. Maybe dey sharge me too many? 

Mohr. Not one cent — it is just luncheon time! 

Max. Alright, I eat me some lunch — awer I dont see nobody 
wat gif me sotnedings. 

Mohr. The waiter will be here directly. 

Enter Oakdale Davvsillet. 

Mohr. [Aside to Oakdale] Give that man anything he may 
cull for. he'll pay all. [To Max] Mr. Dawsillet will serve yo«; 
meanwhile Max, I will make diligent search for your check. 
[Aside, going] The wind blows in a different direction now and 
I must change my tac tics again. — You will stop the payment of 
that check will you! we shall see — I have it. I will instruct my 
wife, she must pursue and inveigh him for a breach of affiance, 
undoubtedly he will he placed under a few days' arrest, And if 



22 



the wieldy Jayen Faiil dips his spoon into tlie affair, he will fall 
into a snare, so cunningly laid by me for iiis unwary feel, that 
would confound and dism ly hini. [Exit] 

Max. Well, wat for you shtand here? [Oakdale starts] I 
wunt soniedings wat 1 eat! 

Oukdale. Oh, certainly, I run, I fly fast as the wind to serve 
you. [Exit] 

Max. Well, dat's a funny feller; de wind dent fly— wen he say 
de wind mi/l, yes, dev got wings, dey fly! Dat's wat de beoples:; 
say, I don kno, I never see one fly mit my whole life. 

Re enter Oakdale with eight small saucers. 

Oakdale. Here are eight portions, you have your choice. 

Max. Alright ! [Looks at them astonished] Now ust look on 
dem blates! dat was de salats, dont it ? Now you brings de polony 
un sauerkraut? 

Oakdale. I beg your pardon, that is all ! 

Max. Dat vas all? You dink I vas a shicken? 

Oakdale. Oh no! I do not venture to compare you with any 
fowl or bird whatever. 

Max. Wen I vas on de table, I eat so many like a bear— doni 
fora;ot et ! [Eats] 

Oakdale. Perhaps the gentleman wishes some wine? 

Max. Ye-e s, de best wat you got ! [Aside] Et dont cost nc-d- 
dings. 

Oakdale. Our wines are all excellent, direct from the best 
vaults; Rudesheimer, Froniigna, Wuerzburg, Madeira, Catawba, 
Concord, Burgundy, Hauthbrion, Cantor, Claret, Mayence, De La- 
Rliue, Forteau, Riienish — 

Max. [Places hand on Oakdale's mouth] Mine gootness keep 
luiet ef you blease! Give me some Wuerzburg, dat gro in Sher- 
many, you know I like dat. 

Oakdale. [Going] Y^'es sirl 

Max. He! Mr. Somebody, let em blates gone mit you. 

Oakdale. Shall I fill them again? 

Max. . Shoor, wat else? [Exit Oakdale witli plates] I don kni- 
I eat me somedings, I only taste em one little bit, un den it vas all. 

Leona appears at C D, backed on by Ignatius who holds a revol- 
ver to her head. 

Mohi". [To Leona, at back] You shall be watched; remembei' 
what I have told you, or — [Patting the weapon, disappears] 

Leona. [Recollecting, comes forward] Ah, I am just in time; 
you are alone! 

Max. I don kno, don you vas nobody? 

Leona. Man loves company, though 'tis only a burning taper, 
said a certain famous writer. 

-Max. I don kno whe dat vas. 

Leona. May 1 have the honor to entertain vou awhile? 



23 



>Iax. Wen I eat, 1 dont hear many. 

Re-enter Oakdale. 

Oakdale. Eight fresh portions! 

Max. Eight fresh mouthfuls, why don you say! — Well, where 
vas dat wine? 

Oakdale. Beg your pardon, I forgot all about it. [Exit, Max 
eats] 

Leona. [Gets chair and sits left of Max] I will endeavor to 
interest you with a little romance. 

Max, I got no time. [Eating] 

Leona. Do they not impress your nerves? 

Max.. I got no nerves. 

Leona. But a feeling for the beautiful — 

Max. Oh ye-e s! 

Leona. Ah, happy is he, to whom this sensibility, nature has 
not endowed with excess. If my fate were known to you — 

Max. No sir, I dont kno! 

Leona. My name is Amelena Moss I [Drawing nearer] 

Max. Is dat so? 

l.eona. 1 was young and sprightly, the delight of my parents, 
when, unfortunately, one day, I was enjoying a sylvan jollity in 
Delphi — [Is close by his side at this time] 

Max. (Turns head suddenly, bringing his face in contact with 
Leona) In Delphi? 

Leona. Are you acquainted there? 

Max. Ye-e-8 I vas, ha, ha, ha! I live dere! 

Leona. I became associated with a young man, his name was 
Max Hartfeld— 

Max. Max Hartfeld! 

Leona. He was exceedingly handsome; vanquished my heart, 
accepted my hand; and swearing everlasting fidelity, he promised 
me to marry — 

Max. Se Miss Annelena, dat vas not so! 

Leona. Alas! It is only too true! 

Max. (Aside) I believe dat poor womans dont feel well — You 
better take mine advice un gone down mit at Doctor in de lunatic 
sylum. 

Leona. The cruel man, he has deserted his promise! 

Max. You don kno wat you say. In de whole Delphi dere yas 
only one Max Hartfeld, un dat vas me! 

Leona. What, you — you are my Max — 

Max. No sir, not your's, I Vas mine. (Rises) 

Leona. (Has risen, regards him closely) Ah yes! I remember 
the charming features that captivated my heart; the rosy cheeks; 
the sparkling countenance; the voice, and stout as ever— yes, yes, 
you are my Max! (Backs him) 

Max. (Folding arms, imitates Lank) Dont come too near mc! 
I never see you mit my lite! 



2i 

Leona. How inluiman! even now you dare deny it, new, wVen 
destiny, peradventare, so remarkably brings us confront ? 

Max. Wat, bin net si rab bat si &c. — 1 dont undershtand one 
word wat she say. Gone away — dont make ray head warm. 

Leona. Such are men, when their hearts grow cold, their heads 
become warm. (Fiercely toward him) I5ut fear my wrath, my 
vengeance — (Drops on chair) Oh, the barbarian, I love him yet ' 

Max. Dat womans vas grazy. When I vas not only mit her 
mineselfl Dank God ! here vas dat shentlemans! 

Oakdale returns with wine. 

Oakdale. Your wine air! (Leona whispers him) 

Leona. In my veins there is a glowing fire! (Draws dagger) 
Give me peace of heart and mind or tremble! 

Max. (Defends with chair) Wen I dont look outside, dat wo- 
mans she make me dead. (Keeps his eyes fixed on Leona) 

Leona. Tyrant of my heart ! At the sight of j'ou 1 feel a.« 
though I had swallowed balls of fire! 

Max. Mishter, wen you blease, gif me mine hat — put em cmi 
mine head — I must watch dat grazy womans, till I vas outside mit 
at door. 

Oakdale. First, the gentleman will please pay the carte paya7it^. 

Max. I dont need no cards, I never blay mit my life. 

Leona. But cnielly you have played a game with my heart I 

Oakdale. Sir, I mean the bill. 

Max. For wat for, I only eat me some lunch. 

Oakdale. What, limch! we charge for luncheons here. Sixteen 
portions, one bottle of the best German wine — sum substance, four 
dollars. 

^^ax. Ye-e-s, I gif you one kick four times, dat's wat 1 do — 
don you vas ashamel you dink I got enough! 

Oakdale. That's not my fault, I can't help that. 

Leona. Dear Max I when you are in danger, fly to my arras 
and seek protection. 

Max. Gone away I toll you! 

Oakdale. I will retain your hat, 'till you have paid rae. 

Max. Dat vas too funny! I gone oud un find mine Shpilten 
Devil— 

Oakdale. Don't leave this place, or — 

Leona. My fury will awake! (Kaising dagger) 

Max. You bandits! wen you comes here, I hit you in de moutli 
mit at shairs, you never grack any nuts no more rait your lift- 
(Throws chair front of door and exits — Oakdale runs, falls over 
cliair — Leona drops dagger and laughs heartily — Scene closes in.) 

Scene II. — Street in Indianapolis. 

Enter Ignatius Mohr. 
Mohr. He comes this way — I mUst not loo'^e sight of him. (Re- 
tires) 



25 

Enter Max, looking off, when he sees Ignatius who is coming 
forward. 

Max. Ach mine dear Shpitten Devil, here you vas! toll me wat 
I make, wat I do! 

Mohr. Why did you not get anything to eat ? 

Max. Not so much as one bullfrog. — Dere vas some grazy beo- 
ples wat run me after un murder me. 

Mohr. Murder you! why — 

Max. Ye-e-s, I toll you dat after wile, ust come on now! 

Mohr. Where is your hat ? 

Max. Never mind mine hat — you better toll me where mine 
head was, I don kno where he shtand. 

Enter Oakdale and Leona. 

Oakdale. Here he is, you dare not run away now! 

Leona. Yes bjirbarian, you shall not escape me! 

Max. No, dat makes me too many trubles. 

Mohr. (Aside) I'll be scarce and observe at a distance. (Exit, 
patting his revolver to Leona as threatening) 

Oakdale. Tlie carte payante, sir — 

Leona. My innocence, my heart ! 

Max. fie, wen you make mine head mad, I holler fire! un all de 
beoples from de blace comes right here. 

Oakdale. You will pay me first, then cry out so long as suits 
your pleasure. 

Leona Alas, my heart has no price! (Approaching Max, who 
avoids her) 

Max. Help! Diefs! Murder! Fire, fire, fi— 

Enter Bells Gap the officer — Leona crosses. 

Officer. What parvenu is this, what means this alarm? 

Max. Ach mine dear sir, I vas a shtranger here un I bin sur- 
rounded mit a band robbers. 

Officer. Fear nothing, sir, — What mean you, what would you 
with this man? 

Oakdale. I Served him sixteen portions of choice delicacies 
with the best wine, and now he refuses to pay me! 

Leona. To me he has broken a promise and deserted me. (Re- 
tires and eventually steals off) 

Max. Dam lies! 

Officer. Indeed ! Sir, these are various ill reproofs. Inasmuch 
as you are a stranger here and of quite a respectable appearance, 
you will be treated with lenity. Who are you, and where do you 
come from? 

Max. I vas Max Hartfeld von Delphi ! 

Officer. Aha! so you are that precious bird ! 'Tis well — I know 
you now. 

Max. I bin so gled I find somebody now, wat kno who I vasi 



26 

Officer. I express ray satisfaction and thanks, that you havp 
pursued this scoundrel, this swindler. 

Max. Wat shwindler! Mine gootness, nobody never shwindel 
me! 

Officer. You are nothing less than Max Hartfeld. 'Tis scarce- 
ly three hours since I met with the noble possessor of that name — 
who is an honest, benevolent and trustworthy man. — You are an 
impostor under an assumed name. — Come along ! 

Max. Potz donner und alle hagel ! now you toll me dat I vas 
not even dat shenuine Max Hartfeld? 

Officer. (Abruptly) ^^ol 

Max! After wile ago I vas mineself, un now you toll me dat I 
yas somebody else— I dont see how dat vas! (Coolly going R) 1 
dont undershtand me dat ! 

Officer. One moment, please I 

Max. One moment — alright ! — Dat vas one moment. (Kesumes 
advancing, officer again stays him) Wat you vant ? (Brings his 
head in contact with officer's nose) 

Officer. Permit me to ask you, have you any letters, papers of 
recommendation or the like, to prove your name? 

Max. Ye-e-s, shoor! I was — 

Officer! Let me see them, please! 

Caracelli. (Off stage) Statoots-a, vases, statoots-a! 

Max. (Searches pockets, looks for his servant Ignatius) Mine 
servant he vas here ust now, un now he vas not l>ere — well he gif 
em to de Police Office. 

Officer. You lie — I did not — 

Max. No sir, 1 shtand ! 

Officer. An indigent excuse, which 1 cannot accept. — You must 
go with me to the lockup. 

Max. Wat I make dere? 

Officer. Tliat you shall learn, only too soon. Where are you 
gjoing? 

Max. I call me dat France womans v/at I kill dat dog mit; she 
toll you I vas mineself. 

O^Tficef. N^o prevaricatio IS now! I'll hear — none. Come along. 

Max. No sir, I dont ! 

Oakdale. Yes sir, you will ! 

Max. I don care whea you vas a dossen fellers! — Come on! 
(Officer and Oakdale Seize him. Max with one sling is fiee, he 
presses Officer and Oakdale together, face to face, which forces them 
to embrace each other, and throws them against Caracelli the image 
vender, who has just entered. All fall, breaking CaraCelli's images 
to atoms. 

Caracelli. A thousand devils, my busts, my statoots-a! 

Max. (Laughs heartily at the group on floor. Officer rises, 
catches ^lax again) You dont got enough yet? Wen you dont 
look oud I shtand yon downside up, (gesturing) like dat! 



27 

Officer. You must go with me, despite the devil. (Produces 
handcuffs) 

Oakdale. That's right, that will bring him along! 

Max. Is dat so! — well, uf I mmt gone along, den you blease 
carry me. (Sits down on floor. Officer whispers Caracelli point- 
ing off L. Caracelli exit hastily L) 

Officer. You will regret this, attacking me, an officer. Just sit 
there about, two minutes only, I will cure you of some of your good 
humor, and we will see who is ahead then 

Max. Sit down here, I toll you somedings. (Smiling) 

Officer. No badinage now, I am serious! 

Ke-enter Caracelli with a canal-barrow. 

Officer. Now if it pleases your independence, take a seat in that. 

Max. Well, ust set me in, dat gif me some good exercises. 
(Aside) I fix em! (A.11 three life him in barrow — Officer goes to the 
shafts, Oakdale and Caracelli at the front purporting to pull) Now 
I vas in, when Aurora see me now, I wonder wat she toll me! — 
Hold on — hold on, I toll you hold on! 

Officer. Keep quiet now, or — 

Max. Dere vas a nail in dere, he shaggen me! (The bottom of 
wheelbarrow breaks through, Max goes down doubled up; he 
straightens out — forcing the barrow apart. Officer and the otherg 
seize Mm; he throws them off and takes one of the shafts of bar- 
row and defends — swinging it right and left, lightly as a cane) 
Who yas ahead now! (Tableau! Quick drop) 

ACT III. TABLEAU V. 

Room in the '' Little Globe //otel," furnished ad libiticm. — C D and 
J? C D. — Table and chairs. — Occupied by Ignatitis and Leona. 

Leona enters C D as curtain rises. 

Leona. I have stolen away unnoticed ! — Poor man! to be the 
victim of my constrained imposition; to think, that through my 
machinations, forced upon me by my husband, he should be reprov- 
ed by the minions of the law — almost rends my heart. But, a lit- 
tle patience yet, and I will atone for it, yes, yes! And if it comes 
to the worst I will battle for him, defend him and betray the real 
offender — and that is my husband, oh God ! my husband, who 
forced me on to this, for what purpose I know not. — Yet, this is all 
a mere trifle anent the most horrible crime of murder: — Hark! • 
methinks he comes — Ah, how well I yet remember when first his 
voice lisped to me, but, alas, to-day that voice whispers seduction 
in secret, or thunders destruction at the head of a devoted wife! I 
would tell him, remember those sportive groups of youth, in whose 
halcyon bosoms there sleeps an ocean, as yet scarcely ruffled by the 
passions, which soon shall heave it as with a tempest's strength. 
Did I not devote, expend, consecrate myself to the holy work of 
his melioration; did I not dare to stand forth in his defense, when 



28 

detraction was aiming it's deadly weapon at his reputation! But, 
without avail ! How I loved him then— he loved me too. Oh, 
there were hours when I could hang forever on his brow, but time, 
which stole in silent swiftness by, strewed as he hurried on his 
patli, with thorns. Now— now he does no longer acknowledge nie 
with the same cordiality; does not treat me with the same friendly 
attention and gentleness, as when the claims of pride in honor and 
virtue, did not interfere with those of friendship! He will conie 
and chide, rail and curse me, wake me from my dreams o^ fate, to 
blend his nascent grossness with my tears! (Sinks on chair, head 
on table) 

Enter Jay en Faul C D 

Jayen. (At door) Ah! 

Leona. How timorous I feel ! 

Jayen. Pardon me, if I am intrusive. 

Leona. (Rises and trie** to conceal her tears — Aside) Jayen! — 
Certainly — certainly. (Aside) What brings him here! 

Jayen. I came to speak to your husband, Ignatius Mohr, or as 
he now chooses to call himself, Edmund ! 

Leona. He is absent now, but methinks, sir, he will be here 
anon. (Still avoiding her countenance from Jayen) 

Jayen. I have heard of things of which I would deman<l an 
explanation — but how is this, you are distracted, you have been 
weeping — your looks betray you! Did your husband perhaps — 

Leona. Oh, no! I-I was only dreaming — dreaming of the days 
of yore, when you disturbed me. 

Jayen. From that I infer you are not happy as once you have 
been. Yon will pardon me if I am wrong, for I, in part, suspect 
your husband to be at the bottom of this and what I khow. What 
he once was he is not, and what he is now — heaven knows. If you 
tell me all, you will earn niy lifelong gratitude. 

Leona. (Aside) Betray my husband to one wlio is almost a 
stranger to me! 

Jayen. Do you liesitate? 

Leona, [Still aside] He must promise to keep it secret, for 
perhaps there may yet be some hope, some means left to save him; 
still I fear that I only hope against darkening despair. [To Jayen] 
'Tis scarcely three iiours since first we met, and our acquaintance 
is but ocular: yet, I will coohde in you, if you promise to keep it 
all a secret and not to betray my husband? 

Jayen. I promise! 

Leona. Will you swear it? 

Jayen. I swear it ! 

Leona. Then listen to me, confide in him no more, lest you fall 
into a ditch — trenched by him — a victim of his treachery. Heaven 
forgive me saying this of my husband. My heart revolts against 
this desperate step I am taking, but my conscience tells me I am 
peaking the truth. 



29 

Jayen. None but a noble heart could speak thus! 

Leona. He was a man of alnlitv and promise when he married 
me; we were blithe and happy as mortals ere could be, and pros- 
j)erous. But, as the fickle formed clouds come and pass away, so 
did our happiness. Reverse followed reverse and soon our fortunes 
were swept away with a hurricane swiftness, emergontlv placing 
liim under the painful necessity of seeking employment. This was 
to him an austere task. Sauntering along to find it, day after day 
he eventually became acquainted with all sorts of vices imaginable; 
mingled with the lowest and vilest of all society, and under their 
influence wasted a splendid opportunity, to engage in an honest en- 
terprise. Vice, Succeeded vii'tue — corruption, honesty and misery, 
happiness. Depraved, he reveled in high gaml)iing, wanton 
lechery and debauch; his innate wit waxed exceedingly arrant and 
thus he eked out an infecimd life of infamy. 

Jayen. Is it possible, that a man endowed with nature's rarest 
gifts, could fall to such a base degree of ignominy? 

Leona. Ah that is noi all; to further and succeed in his malig- 
nant designs, he made me an instrument of his crimes. Ha, I 
blush with shame while I owe it — but I sufiered it all, hoping I 
could some day break his chain of iniquities and bring him safely 
back to the path of virtue. But now it cannot be, it is too late-- 
too late! [Drops on chair] 

Jayen. Poor creature! — and you are but a mere toy in the hands 
of your tempter, at whose door the sin and punishment of his 
crimes and cruelty belongs- Nevertheless, a part of the misery 
accruing to his crimes was to be yours — all innocent though you 
are at heart. Now I would ask you, why did he not come when I 
had written him and how did he dispose of the money X advanced 
him? 

Leona. Howl squandered it; lavished it in pursuance of his 
crimes and vices and things worse Never would he have obeyed 
your summons, but for the perpetration of^ha, I dare not mention 
it- and pursued with remorse and to escape justice and capital 
punishment, did he leave Chicago. Having a fit opportunity he 
came here to Indianapolis^ solemnly swearing to begin a new life 
with a new name. 

Jayen. A new name —traveled here afoot — I see it all. Now do 
I hold him the false and treacherous villain I suspected him to be. 
But a little patience yet, until his course becomes clearly defined, 
liis object manifest, then — then it will be my turn. [Goes to Leona 
who sits at table concealing her face] 

Ignatius appears and remains at door C 

Mohr. [Aside] Does she weep? 

Jayen. He comes not ! Adieu, fair lady! I will seek your hus- 
band and find him — 

Mohr. [Comes down] Rigiit here! It is I whom you seek I 
presume? 



30 

Leona rise?, tries to conceal lier grief. 

Jayen. Decidedly yes, and more than that — a poignant inter- 
view. 

Mohr. [Goes to Leona gently leading lier to R I E] Leave us, 
my darling wif«'! until your presence will be again required. 

Leona. [Surpri.^ed] Ah, how caressing lie was! [Exit] 

Mohr. Why, have you about four hundred and fifty dollars for 
me? Kemember, your emplo3'ee has earned them now. 

Jayen. Listen to me pseudo Edmund ! Though I possessed 
four hundred :iud fifty times four hundred and fifty dollars, I would 
not now give you the one f'>»ur hinuired and fiftieth part of a single 
dollar. 

Mohr. [Surprised] Ah, indeed ! [Aside] Wliy does lie speak 
thus, can Leona have discovered to Jiim — Jayen Faul ! some ma- 
levolent mammal or other, has, with malice aforethought, deceived 
you and siandefed me, or why do you thus speak meanly abrupt? 

Jayen. No, not slandered by any one, but I have seen, heard 
and experience) — 

Mohr. Cut that! I have served you and my requirements are 
conformably fulfilled, consequently it is due me now, and if you 
refuse it, I appeal to your honor. 

Jayen. [Starting] Honor! You speak of honor! The boldest 
highway robber who roams at broad daylight, has more of honor, 
than the cowardly, stealthy hand that aims a blow in the dark, and 
leaves, like a poisoned serpent's fang, a sure and deadly mark! 
Fie! — where is my rival now. Max Hartfeld ? 

Mohr. He is safely piovided for and will not interfere for a 
time at least. 

Jayen. I want no assurances now, but facts. If you have no 
answer — / have. 

Mohr. He was arrested and is now in the hands of justice. 

Jayen. A curse on you for that !--[n the hands of justice! Oh, 
you ignominious hydra, true, not even unto yourself! Did I not 
tell you, resort to innocent freaks which should discourage him 
only? Did I not comuutnd you to do him no harm, no bodily or 
moral injuries? Did I not bid you beware of that, lest I should 
j)lay another pai"t? — By heaven, you shall feel for this! — I have 
always looked on you with a friend's fondness and confidence, and 
you know it. But of th s be a-^snred, I'll do it no longer. 

Mohr. Well, well there needs but this retort — since you are my 
enemy, I must, beware, and in heeding th>it, I defy and curse you. 
I know the cause of your threats — which are as paltry as the enmity 
you bear me. You are in my power and you dare not execute 
them, lest I should unmask the contrivances of the vain pretender 
to the love of Auiora Mayflower. 

Jayen. Fie, be not too sure of that — you speak like what you 
are. You have deceived me, treacherously deceived me and you 
shall amend for it. By heaven! you'll regret this! — A few days 
hence may find you as wretched as destiny e'er can make you. 



31 



Mohr. You know then what von are go'ng to do? 

Javen Yes— let me fairlv warn vou. You will not see me yet 
I will dodjre your everv step; I sh"all be present at the supreme 
moment to interfere with you, and when you fancy yom-self most 
i,ecure— you will be the more certainly in my power.— Do you un- 
derstand ? 

M<;hr. [Indifferent] I believe I do. 

Javen. You had better be certain! 

U'ohr. I don't see why I should misunderstand you.^ ^ 

Javen. Then whv not say so? These feminine evasions, whicli 
sound very prettv in' tiie world, will not do here. I am stern now, 
with a certain possiblity before my eyes-living, as it were, in the 
light of suspicion, and those who deal with me, must deal plainly 

"""Mlhr.^ * But were you not my accomplice? You employed me, 
and on vou rests the blame for it all— all. , , . , it 

Jayen. Ye^ and 1 will bear it all. But, of this be assured, I 
will atone for it now and right the innocent. Aurora will know 
this all, [Going to door] myself shall disclose it to her, unburden- 
ed then— Ig-atius Mohr, tremble! [Exit] 

Mohr [Alone] Should I know that Leona betrayed me, he 
would not leave this place-aIive!-TrembleI iia, ha, ha!^ Ignatius 
Mohr tremble— one shori hour will see me tar from Indianapolis 
Max Hartfeld in the hands of justice, precisely where 1 contrived 
to place him; not for the special accomodation of the artless Jayen 
FauL but to remove the impediment to my success, it is not to 
acconiplish his object tliat I labored tor. biit this [Ta^'es on 
check] ves this, ha, ha, ha! To night. Max Hartleld will sleep in 
a criminal's cell, and there he cannot stop the payment of thi.s 

^ 'Leona. [Enters] Methought I heard you call ! 

Mohr. [Fondly conducts her to chau] bit here Leona, tis 
likelv you need repose! [Sits beside her] 

Leona. Ah, how glad I am to see you thus peacefully and con- 

^' Mol.r^m; should I not be while you are my adored, devoted 
and obedient wife!-Listen Leona, I have some good news for you. 

Leona. Say that von will begin repentance now. 

Mohr. Do you se'e this paper? [Pro<lucing check] '^^f f. ^''eck 
on the Bank of Delphi, payable to Aurora Mayflower withm one 

"TinrWeli, what does that concern me? [Leona who has 
taken it eventually places it on table] 

Mohr. Whv don't you see! It is so easy A,r you to pretend to 
be this Aurora Mayflower. I will take you to Delphi nm..^^h^e\y. 
Aurora nor you are personally known there, and you can ea.ily 

Xmyour part of\he deceptioa^ The ^^-^^l}'' ^^:^ 
without deduction to the amount of five ^l^^"«'^"f ,^:°>\^ ^'-^^^ ,'| 

kept this from you 'till now; the proper moment has ai rived, ana 



32 



we must loose not a miiuUe's time. You see, we will step into n 
hamlsoine fortune, then off' to some distant foreign country and all 
will be lovely. 

Leona. And all will be ruin and dishonor, you had better say! 
But how came it into your possession? 

Mohr. Mr. Hartfeld gave it to me, saying, he did not know 
vvhat it was. 

Leona. That check given you by Mr. Hartfeld — were I to gain 
the world by it, I could not tlius impose on this poor man's igno- 
rance! — No, husband, we would step directly into a trap of your 
own setting! 

ISIohr. Never fear that, I know vvhat I'm about. Max Hart- 
feld, the only obstacle to be feared, rests quite sure in a safe berth. 

Leona. Ah, never can I consent to wrong nny one tiius! 

Mohr. How can you refuse; to once more make a man of me, 
whose ruin you are bewailing? It will wrong no one; ho is worth 
more than thrice that amount, and otherwise it will go to one who 
has no more right to it than you have 

Leona. Do you remember, when, after tJje deatli of your vic- 
tim, you swore and avowed to repent and begin a new life under a 
new name, if I would once more stand by you; how you induced 
me, by assurances, to leave Chicago secretly at midnight, to tramp 
ttiis far distance? Believe me, thougli it had been a path of thorns 
I would have suffered it, only to save you — your life, and now you 
would repay me with snch kindness and recompense; would have 
me thus stand by you, dishonorably still, and with one step more 
On the path of iniquity, finally plunge you into the abyss of an 
eternal purgatory. 

Mohr. You must be brief. I'm not disposed to listen to ser 
mons now. 

Leona. Is that } our avowed atonement, your contrition, your 
penitence? 

^tohr. There is time yet for that ! 

Leona. Do not ask this of me — dismiss tliis base thought, 'twill 
never make us happy ! I will do anything for you, but this I can- 
not. Cease this life of depravity, fultill your pron)ise, begin to 
refoim — and with heaven's best l)lessing upon us^ the former days 
of our prosperity will return. I will stand by you, work for you 
lay and night; and when sickness shall call you to retire from the 
gay and busy scenes of this world, I will follow you into your 
gldomy retreat; listen with attention to your ''tale of symptoms" 
and A<lmini>ter the balm of consolation to your fainting spirit. 
And lastly, when death shall burst asunder every earthly tie, I will 
shed an ocean of tears upon your grave, ard lodge the dear re- 
Uiembrance of our mutual affections deep into n)y heart ! 

Mohr. On my knees I implore you, only this time — 

Leona. Do not kneel to me — kneel to God, your God who reads 
every human heart, the mighty protector of the rtght and inno- 



33 



cent! [Nervously] Heaven knows I will have naught to do with 
such a wicked scheme 

Molir. [Rises indignantly, and with contempt] Indeed ! So 
you are really going to resist, against, what you are pleased to call 
a wicked scheme, are you! [Lowering voice] See here, Leona, the 
cup of my endurance has overflown; you ought to know by this 
time, tiiat I am not to be disobeyed ! Do you understand me? 

Leona. [Stands silent K] 

Mohr. [Kicking her] Do you hear me? 

Leona. Yes! 

Mohr. Very good, I'm glad that you have condescended to 
honor me by acknowledging that you do hear me. Now, do you 
intend to obey? 

Leona. Oh please—please do not force me to take any part in 
this scheme, I feel that a terrible punishment will come to you and 
I, if we try to perpetrate such a fraud. You know that I would be 
but a counterfeit of the real Aurora — I am your wife and not a 
friend in the world save yourself. 

Mohr. Oh, then you claim that I am your friend ? 

Leona. Yes! oh, yes! 

Mohr. And you wish me to remain so? 

Leona. I do, indeed I do! Why to think that you did not care 
for me, would break my heart ! 

Mohr. So, so! you don't want to make me hate you? 

Leona. Hate me! You hate me! Oh, my dear husband, I 
could not think of such a tiling. I would rather live in eternal 
tortue, than to have you hate me! Why do you speak of such a 
thing? It is cruel— cruel to admit, that such a thing is possible! 
[Sinks on knees, conceals face, resting head on chair] 

Mohr. Oh, pshaw! — I'll risk her, I've seen women cry before. 

Leona. Oh, heaven forgive him! 

Mohr. [Seizing her roughly, throws her across to L] Get up 
and let us talk business! I waul this matter settled right oft. 

Leona. Are you not yet satisfied ? What would you have me 
do? — riiat which in all the trials of hardships and sufferings in 
this life with you, I have not yet even dreamt of,— imprecate the 
everlasting curses of heaven upon you! You have your wish; you 
cursed me, and that curse now curses you. I do not pray for you 
to die, but that you may live — live long and anloe, avoided by all 
that is human; hated by everyone, and in a life of lasting remorse 
— once imploring for compassion — be answered only by your own 
conscience. 

Mohr. Oh, bosh! Stop your prating! You'll do it yet, I ^noie 
you will. I am sure you will. [Shows revolver] 

Leona. Never! heaven forbid it — never! [Seeing revolver] 
Ye.s, I will die first rather than live dishonored and diegraced. 

Mohr. Ha, do you defy me, proud and boasting rebel? 

Leona. Proud! Ha, ha, ha! well said — well said ! — Yes, and 



34 

with defiance and boastingly too I confess, that I am too proud to 
submit, to the baseness of a sway like yours*! 

Mohr. You forget whom and what you are. 

Leona. Oli, no, not so fast I But who has made me wliat 1 am? 
You— and you know it. Weak I am as a child; but, strong in de- 
termination as adamant, against wljich your coarse threats recoil, 
but to their own destruction, 

Mohr. Oh, adamant you are— and what am /, I should like to 
know? 

Leona. Be what you may, I dare you to your worst. 

Mohr. Ah, you do, do you? 

Leona. Yes I, wliose heart you have ground to powder beneath 
your iron heel, whose blood you have drained drop by drop, 'till 
existence becomes an active, poisonous curse. Yes, 1 can tell you 
what you are — for alas I know you well ! A slimy, slow creeping 
animal, a reptile, a serpent that creeps to its prey slyly and meanly. 

Mohr. A serpent am I — 

Leona. A low, villainous wretch, eager for a crime that can be 
done in the dark, shrinking from a brave deed to be acted in open 
day; a villain who— thrusting an innocent heart into sin — sucks 
the lifeblood of its womanhood like a vampire! 

Mohr. By heaven, to be thus braved by a woman! This perti- 
nacity must be removed root and branch, though some blood be 
spilled in the operation! [Forces her down] You drive me to des^ 
pairl Are you ready to obey? 

Leona. Have pity on me! Heaven protect me! 

Mohr. [Draws knife] Do you hear me? Yes, or no? 

Leona. Your blessing first — your blessing — 

Mohr. Yea, or no? 

Enter Max, C D bareheaded, coat torn down back, coolly advances, 
takes knife from Ignatius, throws him off to R. 

Max. No! — Dats wat /toll you. Don you vas ashame! Move 
an unner shtep, un I make one hole in your big, black heart ! 

Mohr. Do you think that I fear you? 

Max. JNo sir, I bin not afraid on you, wen you vas de devil, I 
bin not afraid on you. [Throws knife to his left so that he stands 
between it and Ignatius, then his coat] Come on! [Ignatius ad- 
vances to Max who dodges him, Ignatius runs on and is about to 
take up knife when Max seizes him at back. Ignatius turns, backs 
Max across to K who then forces him back to L, throws him oft' 
and keeps Ignatius' false beard in his hand, Ignatius L with a 
large scar on his left cheek] 

Leona. [In the meantime has run to C D as looking for help] 
Hold ! for heaven's sake I pray you forbear! 

Max How was dai? I pull de bottom von dat fellers head off' I 

Mohr. [Aside] I must win him now, or 1 am lost — [Aloud] 
Ha, ha, ha! why Max, you are indeed brave and fearless as the 
lion! I only did this to try your courage. 



85 

Max. Is dat so! — Well I dink you dry mine courage so many. 
I vas blenty mad I pooty near kill you after wile ago. — You vas 
black on your sheek! [Seeing scar] 

Mohr. [Aside] Curses on hino — indeed ! probably from the 
little tussle we enjoyed a moment ago. 

Leona. [Ha.s come down to Ignatius] Ignatius — 

Mohr. [Aside to her] Don't give tongue now, be off with you! 
[She retires up to table] 

Max. Vor Mrat vor you do dat in your face? [Showing beard] 

Mohr. Oh, only to look like a man — a natural one I canaot 
boast of. 

Max. Is dat all ! well I don't want em! [Throws beard front of 
table; takes up his torn coat, puts it on] You see dat coat? He 
va8 ashame on me wen I gone on de shtreet. 

Mohr. Oh, that's nothing, I'll give you another. Leona, go 
get my dark brown for this gentleman. [Exit Leona] 

Max. Ye-e-s, I vas a shentlemans, ha, ha, ha! — When dat 
boliceman take me long he pull mine coat, awer I gone de unner 
way — [imitating the tearing] un he tear em; un wen I come up 
mit a shtreet dere vas a feller wat holler rags! rags! uii wen he see 
me he say wat you do mit em regs? I gif you two cent I — I toll 
him dat vas not mine bustness, den he laugh me out like a dam 
geeses un gone away. Ye-e-s, shoor! Awer wen I have him here 
I pull his head out between his ears. 

Re-enter Leona with coat, gives it to Max. 

Leona. Here is the coat I 

Max. Ah, you vas a good womans! [Patting her cheek] I like 
you! [Steals a kiss, then smiling, ogles Ignatius who eyes him] 
Wat's de matter on you? [Puts on coat which is tight fit] 

Mohr. Oh, nothing — 

Max. I dot I make you shelly. — Dat coat fit me ust so quick 
like skin on balony. — You know wat I toll you? 

Mohr. Well ! 

Max. You vas a liar! you toll me everydings wat I eat down 
shtairs don't cost nottings, un dat vas not so: ven I vas done he toll 
me I must bay dat. Un den dere vas a grazy womans wat toll me 
I promise her I marry mineself, un dat vas not so, awer I don kno 
who she vas. Den I gone on de shtreet un dey run me after mine- 
self un toll de boliceman, I was a sheat, a willain un a ehwindler 
— dat boliceman he toll me 1 must gone mit him, awer he not toll 
me dat vor de second time, he was glad wen he leave me alone. 
[Retires when Leona who was reading the check, anxiously waiting 
the opportunity to give it to Max] 

Mohr. Fate must have made it a ta.sk to thwart me. When I 
thought him safest and most secure, he comes — despite my exer- 
tions — at the supreme moment to make my project almost an im- 
possibility. But he shall have a hard road to travel now. [See? 
Max who is examining the check] Damn the luck! 



36 

Max. (Cornea down to Mohr) You sheat, you willain, you 
shwindler! you know wat at Vas? (Showing check) 

Mohr, (Goes to take it) Let me see— I— 

Max. I dink yon kno pooty well wat at was! Don't be in a 
hurry, I take care on em! (Folds and places it in his pocket) 

Mohr. Perdition! everything seems leagued against me He 
shall not leave this place, he knows my secret and might noise it 
abroad. There is but this resort — his life or it will cost me mine — 
( Draws revolver, Leona sees this and screams. Max is about to 
exit but turns as Ignatius levels it and fires. Leona seizes his arm, 
throws it up, discharging the weapon in the air) 

Leona. Harm him, cowardly as you would, and I'll betray 
you! (Clings to him) 

Max. Hold on I fix em! (Exit in haste) 

Mohr. Cling not to me! off, viper off! I must save myself — my 
life (Throws her off, rushes to CD) I must — hell he has escaped ! 
You are the author of all this — take that — and that for your good 
service to me! (Runs down L. front where knife lies, takes it up, 
rushes furiou&ly at Leona and stabs her in left side, she falls R C. 
Ignatius goes up to C D) 

Leona. (Faltering) Ignatius, come hither husband — Day, do not 
shrink from your poor and sacrificed wife, now! Your hand; if I 
have wronged you, forgive me now, as I forgive you. Oh, Father 
of mercy! save and pity him! — I am dying, my heart is broken! 
Farewell ! do not too soon forget me — repent— pray for me, I will 
pray for you — heaven bless you — farewell — fare — (Falls inani- 
mate) 

Mohr. (After short pause comes down to Leona. moves her with 
his foot) Dead ! — You would betray me, would you! — There's one 
mouth shut up; dead people never tell tales. Ha, there's blood 
upon me — (Sees blood on right hand coat sleeve, exit in haste 
L I E) 

Enter Oakdale C D, 

Oakdale. (At door) I heard loud voices and the report of a 
shot, fired, methinks this is the room from which they issued. But, 
I see no one and all is quiet. Perhaps I may — (Advancing sees 
Leona, starts and stands terrified) Ha! — horrible — dead, and mur- 
dered too! Who could have done this! I'll know it--my honor 
is at stake, I'll bring the bloodhound, that could perpetrate this 
deed in my house, to light, though it should take me a diuturnity 
of years — hark!— I hear footsteps! I must not be seen, lest I be 
implicated. (Conceals) 

Re-enter Ignatius who has changed coats, takes up beard, replaces 
it in his face. 

Mohr. Adieu! cur.^ed one, impediment to my success! You 
have your reward and may you be damned to endless flame?, for 
you have ruined me, foiled me in everything. (Takes up hat) 



The world Is large and I must find another better and safer place 
now. (Exits C D but immediately returns) 
Mohr. Ha! (Stands left of C D) 

Re-enter Max, holding a gun straight out in front of himself. Igna- 
tius gives him a severe blow on head and exits hastily. 

Max. Now mine dear Shpitten Devil I vas ready. I — (The 
blow from Ignatius) Yeh! — Mine Gott in Himmel — I dot I vas in 
de unner world, I see de moon niit ten dousand shtarsl I wonder 
who dat vas. I don't see me nobodyl I vas not afraid on him wen 
he fight me like a shentlemans — avver pishtols, mine gootness, no 
sir! wen dat feller shoot me un hold dat pishtol ust dis way — pufl! 
un dat ball shoot me right away in de heart. Awer a feller like 
mine serwant wat vas no fatter as one herring, I shoot him mit a 
whole artilleries un I miss em wen I hit em! (Seeing Leona) 
Who's dat ! (Places his gun against tab)e,bends over her) Oh, mine 
Gott, dead ! dat poor woman what 1 save mit her life, un wat she 
save my life — now she was dead I wen I vas outside, he kill dat 
poor woman! — Awer I shwear by mine honor, I find mine servant, 
I take him in dese hands un send him down in hell where his mas, 
ter it waiten on him! — Oh, when I vas mit her, 1 would be so glad- 
so happy! She look so innocent, she was an angel now! — 

Re-enter Ignatius with Bells Gap and others. Ignatius advances 
down L of stage. 

Mohr. I accuse that man, Ignatius Mohr, with the murder of 
my wife! Secure him! 

Max. (Rises) Wat ! (Takes gun, raising it rushes at Ignatius. 
Officer averts the blow by seizing the gun. Tableau — Quick drop) 

ACT IV. TABLEAU VI. 

Interior of Court of Justice. Doors R I E and L behind spectators. 
Judge's bench R. Table and chairs R. Witness' stand R. Pris- 
oners stand L I E. Max's gun and the broken blade on Judge's 
bench. Judge, C^erk, Ignatius, Shackles countelfor prosecution, 
twelve Jurymen arranged across back of stage. Spectators L. Offi- 
cer, Jayen Faul vjho is one of the jury, disguised — all discovered. 

Judge. The case Mr. Secretary to occupy the Court to-day is — 

Clerk. (Reads aloud) That of alias Max Hartfeld, whose real 

name is supposed to be Ignatius Mohr, for the perpetration of the 

atrocious crime of murder, committed on the person of Leona Har- 

feld, the wife of the accuser. 

Judge. Officer conduct the prisoner hither! (Exit Officer) 
Mohr. (Aside) Ah, now I see ray folly, 'twas imprudent of me 
to declare him to be Ignatius Mohr— but it's too late now, I cannot 
alter it. Anent that I mu.st be on a Careful gaurd 'till the proceed- 
ings are concluded; then, farewell to Indianapolis. 

Max. (AVithout) All right! gone ahead, don you seel vas 
comen! (Enters LIE) 



38 

Officer. Make haste I say, the Court awaits you! 

Max. (At entrance) Well, ust let em wait, dey wont run away. 
(Crosses to Clerk) I vaa here! 

Judge. Please take the stand 

Max. (Rises on tip toes — to JuJge) Don you see I shtand; I 
don see no shairs wat 1 sit down mil !— Dis place vas ust like mine 
cow stables, dere vas no benches un no shairs in dere, awer it vas 
full mit bores too 

Clerk . Well, well, do you hear, take that stand ! (Pointing to it) 

Max. All right! why don you t'^U me dat right away? (Takes 
it to I E L) Where I take em? (Officer replaces it) Well, den you 
take em out. (Goes to railing front of jury, Officer conducts him to 
the stand, as he steps up he falls) 

Judge. Why did you refuse a counsel for defense? 

Max. No sir, I dont bounce dat fence! (Pointing to jury) Did 
I bounce dat fence wen I vas dere? 

Judge. Understand me, I said, wliy did you refuse a counsel, a 
lawyer to— 

Max. Ye-e-s! I dont need nobody wat toll you I did not make 
dat womans dead, I toll you dat mineself. 

Clerk. Ignatius Mohr — 
■ Max. Wat, Mohr — don I toll you my name vas not Mohr! you 
dink 1 f rgot mineself un say I vas somebody else? I vas nobody 
else, I vas mineself, Max Hartfeld ! 

Clerk. Or — as you choo.se to call yourself. Max — 

Max. No sir, not Mex, Max — M-a-x — Max! I wonder wat 
shool you gone mit, don you kno better as dat? 

Clerk. May \t please you then Afaxf Do you s>^ear by the 
Almighty and before this high Tribunal, that what you may say, 
shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? 

Max. J shwear! You dink I toll you lies? 

Cler'. The affidavit made against you verifies: "that Leona, 
wife of Max Hartfeld, came t'l her death, by being fatally wound- 
ed with a bowie knife in llie hands of Max Hartfeld, whose real 
naiTie is Ignatius Muhr." 

Shackles. The Coroner, when holding the inquest, found this 
broken blade, which is yet clotted with gore, imbedded in a gush- 
ing wound of the poor victim. Do you recognize or know this? 
(Holding l)rokfn blade up) 

Max. No sir! how > ou dink I kno somedings wat I never see? 

Shackles. The plaintifl' will please take the stand ! 

Jayen. (Comes down from jury) May it please the Court ! ere 
you procee(l 1 would respectfully resign my duties as a juryman; I 
csnnot now serve^ therefore I beseech you to dismiss me. 

Judge. What is the cause? 

Jayen. A Tnission^ which the near future may explain. 

Judge. 'Tis granted ! 

Jayen. The broken blade — the missing part — adieu! (Bows to 



39 

Judge and bowing, turns to jury — A^ide, going) 'Till we meet 
again! (Exit) 

Judge. In accordance to a statute which expressively stipulates, 
to convocate twelve men to act as a jury — we must now choose a 
substitute; the privilege of which I accord to tlie prisoner. 

Mohr. (Rises) No, by heaven, I protest against such an illicit — 

Max. (Runs from stand to Ignatius, vibrates his head perpen- 
dicularly) Wat's dat you say? uf you dont keep quiet I take you 
in mine hands un bulverize you! 

Judge. Order there, sit down! 

Max. Ye e-8, sit down! (To Ignatius) 

Mohr. (To Max) You'll not be quite so lively after I've done 
with you. (Sits) 

Max. Is dat so! Well I don't care! 

Judge. Choose the substitute now! 

Max. Ye e-s, 1 will ! (Looks at spectators — suddenly) I dink I 
better gone dere mineself. (Sits on Jayen's place with the jury, 
busies himself with the next man at his side) 

Judge. Oh, no, that won't do, come down immediately — do you 
hear— do you liear! 

Max. (Comes down) Wat's de matter on you? 

Judge, You have no business there, you — 

Max. Don I vas a substishtood? 

Judge. No, you are the prisoner, the defendant- -anyone but 
yoursel f. 

Max. Well, den I take dat man wat I vas shoor he toll you no 
lies. [Pointing him out, from the spectators] 

Judge. The gentleman will please come forward ! 

Clerk. How do you swear? [Substitute raises his hand] Re- 
peat as I dictate: " I do hereby Bolemnly swear, that with an honest 
and just judgment, to deliver truth on evidence given in Court." — 
Be seated ! [He sits on place vacated by Jayen] 

Shackles. The plaintiff may now proceed. 

Mohr. [Goes to stand R] Most honorable Judge! Gentlemen 
of the jury! Not many days ago, I came to this city, Indianapolis, 
accompanied by my wife, on a matter of business, and engaged a 
room in the Little Globe Hotel. I was within the city limits but a 
few hours, when I was grieved to learn, that the prisoner, with 
whom I am well acquainted, was imposing on my name and person. 

Max. No sir, Mr. Shudge, I— 

Judge. Keep quiet ! 

Mohr. After attending to my business matters, which occupied 
greater part of the day, I returned to the Little Globe Going up 
stairs to the room I occupied, which, by the Way, is on the third 
floor, I heard deep groans of a person as in agony. Cautiously I 
slunk to the door, when I saw that man, quietly and unconcernedly, 
accouteiing himself in that coat which he now wears and which is 
my own personal property — 



40 



Max. YoiWj'cdat! [Runs to Ignatius] Don you gif me tlat 
coat — 

Judge. Order there, take your place. 

Max. Mr. Sluidge — 

Judge. Take your place and keep quiet 'till you are questioned! 

Max. Well, I dont care! [Slowly returns to stand] Dat feller 
lie ust so fast as one liorse wat run — I gif ten cents when I kno 
what shurch he belong niit. 

Judge. Proceed. 

Mohr. I was about to enter the room when another groan drew 
mv attention to the flour, and — oh horror — what did I behold ! 
My poor wife weltering in her own bk od — just then, she faintly 
lifted her head and with a staring look at the culprit, she exclaim- 
ed: "you here — that knife in your hand — then you are my murder- 
er"— 

Max. You bla'.k villain — (throws oflScer's hat at Ignatius.) 
Dat vas not so — 

Judge. I will inflict a fine of five dollars on you for disorderly 
conduct in Court. 

Max. Wat's dat ? 

Judge. Five dollars fine for dis-or-der-ly conduct. 

Max Allright ! I give you five times five dollars fine — awer 
Wat's de use he toll you dem big lies? I wonder he don't shoke 
on em ! 

Shackles. Hold your tongue! (Tlireatening) 

Max. He a^ot no handle on wat I hold em mit. 

Shackles. We don't want to hear your opinions cow. 

Max. Weil, den better you gone outside. 

Shackles. (To Ignatius.) Go on. 

Mohr. After uttering the word, " murderer," her voice faltered, 
a deep sigh — and n)y poor wife was no more. Her spirit is in a 
brighter home now and from that abode of ettrnal bliss, she 
watches over me with incessant vigilance. 

Shackles. Was the prisoner cognizant of your presence ? 

Mohr. No!— But I saw him 1 ^aw her stately form drenched 
with it's own sacred blood; I saw the broken knife in his band, 
reeking with — 

Max. Dam lies! (Going to Ignatius) Awer now it vas time you 
keep quiet — (Threatening) 

Judge. (Rising) Older, order — 

Max. (Runs down to Judge) Mr. Shudge — 

Judge. Order I say — 

Max. I only toll you, dat — 

Judge. Noihing, I'll iiear nothing! 

Max. (Runs to jury and gesticulates) 

Judge. Order — do you hear — return to the stand immediately. 
Officer, dt; your duty. (Officer gOes to Max who then returns to 
stand. Officer gets his hat and returns) 

Judge. (Seriously) If you venture to leave that stand again I 



41 

will have you shackled and iinpo'^^e another and heavier fine on 
you, understand? 

Max. All right Shudge— awer wat's de use you make so many 
noise? 

Judge. (vSits again — to Ignatius) Continue. 

Mohr. Ajarmeii and bewildered, I hastened to summon an Offi- 
cer, which culminatt^d in the capture and arrest of ihe fel^n. But 
what should have prompted him to commit this diabolical crime, I 
am at a loss to conjecture. This I swear by the Almighty Judge, 
to be the truthful statement relative to the event. (Leaving stand) 

Shackles. Stay — did you not say that he imposed on your name? 
What know you of his real name? 

Mohr. He claims to be Max Hartfeld. But that is a name, un- 
sullied, which I have the honor to bear. I have dealt with him 
ere nosv, his real, true name is Ignatius Mohr and — 

Max. (Runs to C taking stand with him) Mr. Shudge— 

Judge. (Provoked, throws a book at Max, not noticing removal 
of the stand. Max dodges as book passes over his head) Keep 
quiet ! (Max in stand C looks at book on floor L) 

Max. Five dollars fine for dis-or-der-ly corndooctor! 

Judge. (Vexed) Yes, ten dollars fine tor leaving the stand. 

Max. (Looks at Judge, then where the stand was, then at 
stand and then stares at Judge who rises and gazes at Max and the 
stand — short pause) 

Judge. You have moved the stand from it's proper place. 

Max. Y'ou only find et out now? 

Judge. Take it back immediately. 

Max, All right ! (Returning with stand) Dat's de time wat youj 
fool m^, he! Ten dollars fine when I leave dat shtand, ha, ha, ha 
you better look out, I vas not so shtoophead as you look. 

Judge. Order now! 

Mohr. He arrived in town here about half an hour before my- 
self. Xo sooner did he learn of my presence, than he roamed 
about, pretending to be myself, Max Hartfeld, though I positively 
assert and declare here, that he is Ignatius Mohr from the city of 
Chicago. The proof of what I say is in his possession; an overdue 
promisary note. So much so true- (Leaves stand) 

Max. So much dam lies! 

Judge. Order — keep your place a moment, please! - Otticer 
search him. 

Max. No sir, I search me mineself. (Finds the note, which Ig- 
natius knew was in the coat) Mr. Shudge, dat feller he toll you 
after wile ago I shteal dat coat, un dat vas not so. Mine unner 
coat he tear me, un dat feller he say he be mine servant wat cost 
nottings uu toll me his name vas Shpitten Devil. Well, he gif me 
dat coat, un he kno pooty well dis papers vas in. 

Judge. Officer, bring that paper to me. 

Max. (Buns to Judge) Here Shudge! (Gives it) 

Judge. Hm! true— "Chicago, September the third" and signed 



42 



"Ignatius Mohr." — But a-a-so by this you mean to prove his real 
name, do you? 

Mohr. Precisely I do. 

Judge. Exactly! I see And but five minutes ago you alleged 
to have seen him appropriating that very coat to his own use, and 
decidedly asserted it to be your own per?,onal property. Agreed. 
There is then this corollary; the coat belonging to you, this note, 
undei signed Ignatius Mohr, being found in this same coat — belongs 
to you also. 

Shackles Mr. Judge, I ea neatly protest against yt ur proce- 
dure, which is conterminal to privileges that are — 

Judge. Order! 

Shackles, 1 am in order. 

Judge. \ ou are not — a word and I will grant an injunction on 
you for contempt of Court. Tluit man has no counsel for defence, 
and if he is seemingly imposed upon, it becomes my bonden duty 
as Judge, to protect and give him justice. (Shackles sits. Judge 
abruptly to Ign;itius) That will do, you may retire. (Ignatius 
conies down, when Max interposes him) 

Max. Hold on, I toll you someding^. 

Mohr. (Roughly] Well ! 

Max. You liar shbalben! you better look out wen you ketch me 
outside — 1 vas in a/ree country now, un I bin not afraid on a dirty 
blackguard like you! (Flourishing liis fist under Ignatius' nose) 

Mohr- (With contempt) Ha, ha, ha! (Takes his seat) 

Max. (Imitating) Ha, lia, ha! — Wat's de use you laugh me 
out? When dese dogs (His clenched hands; pick you up un shake 
you one little bit un drow you out — den you find nottings wat you 
laughen mil - I vas no wonder wen I do dat right away. (Rushing 
at Ignatius) 

Judge, Order dow, that won't do here, take your place in the 
stand. 

Max. (Kecidlecting) Well dats so, ha, ha, ha! I forgot all 
about em. (Goes to stand) 

Judge. The next to take the stand Mr. Secretary, is — 

Clerk. " Bells Gap an Officer." [Reading] 

Judge. Take tiie stand. 

Clerk. [Rises] Do you swear by the Ahnighty and before this 
high Tribunal assembled ; That what you may say, shall be the 
truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth? 

Officer. I swear. 

Judge. What know you in regard to this case? 

Shackles. You ariesied the ),1risoner, did you not? 

Officer. Yes sir, I did 

Shackles. You v^^ill state paviicularly all you know. 

Officer. On the morning of that fatal day, while walking the 
street on patrol duty, I was intercepted by that man, the plaintiff. 
By a little revelation he invariably established to me, at once, his 
veracity and honor. " I am a stranger here," he continued, ''and 



43 

am teazed to death by a certain individual, a scoundrel, -vho is 
imposing on my name and honor." Describing the villain, he re- 
quested me to apprehend him. At the same time he also told me, 
that his own name was Max Uartfeld, from Delphi, in corrobora 
tion of which he handed me a letter of recommendation and credit. 

Max. Ye-e-s, well dat vas mine; he vas mine servant un I give 
him dat letters. 

Judge. [Calmly] Order please— [To Officer] go on. 

Officer. Subsequently, I encountered this impostor amidst a 
conflux of people, who pursued and vituperated him for various 
offences. Despite my efforts to secure liim then, he escaped nie. 

IVIax. Ye-e-s, uf you doiit gone away at time, I scrape you pooty 
well, ha, ha, ha! — 

Judge. Order there, you criminate yourself! 

Officer. On that very day, scarcely five hours later, I chanced 
to pass by the Little Globe Hotel, when the plaintiff' hastily ap- 
proached and excitedly bade me follow him; that his wife was 
brutally murdered, and, that the perpetrator was yet in the house. 
— When we entered the room, the prisoner was bending over the 
body of his victim — seeing his jeopardy, in a fit of rage, he seized 
a gun and would have killed his accuser, but for my opportune in- 
terference. 

Shackles. [Showing gun] Is this your gun? 

Max, Ye-e-s, dats my gun. 

Shackles. How do you account for having that gun at a place 
and time, which invariably evinces the evidence of your guilt? 

Max. Well, you see dat gun vas mine, I buy me dat gun — I 
take dat gun mit me — I vas in dat room — un you vas a shackass uf 
you dink at gun vas not dere too. 

Shackles. [To Officer] Have you anything more to say? 

Officer. No sir! Tis easy to surmise what followed. [Leaves 
stand] 

Shackles. The arrest, certainly! — There are no other witnesses — 

Clerk. Convicting — none. 

Judge. Now 3Iax — 

Max. Max, wen you blease! 

Judge. What have you to say in vindication of yourself? 

Max. Windy — wat ? You dink I vas a blowbag? No sir, I 
toll you de druth! 

Judge. I don't dispute that. But, what have you to say in jus- 
tificaiion against censure — 

Max. Senses! yes shoor, I got blenty senses. [Tapping his 
forehead with his fist] 

Judge. Keep quiet now and wait. 

Max. All right, "why don you say so! 

Judge. Understand me, it is your turn to speak now; I mean 
you to explain everything concerning the charges against you; if 
you are the murderer or not, and prove your innocence. 

Max. I know — shoor — I know wat you mean allatime — awerrr 



u 

wats de use you say I vas windy? I dont bio so many! — Don I toll 
you I dont make dat womans dead ? 

Judge. Will you iswear it? 

Max. Yes sir — by da — iiello Pete what you luaken here? [liuns 
to juror on the opposite] 

Jiul^e. Order there, take yovir place. 

Max. [Returns having mistaken the man] I dot you vas some- 
body else wat I kno. 

Judge. Never mind that now. Go on, the Court is ready to 
listen to you. 

Max. Was it well I like dat —Mr. Sliudge! Shentlemens who 
vas on a Sliury!--Dat fellor [Pointing to Ignatius] he vas mine 
servant, now dont forgot et ! lie make me so many trubles un toll 
blenty lies — Vou vas a liar, a dief, a villain, a shwindler, a rascal, 
a shwindler, a scoundrel — 

Shackles. We don't want to know what he is, we desire to learn 
what you are. 

Max. Well, den you better find et out. — Mr. Sbudge — [Shackles 
murmurs] Order! [To Shackles] — I gone in mine servant's room, 
Un when I vas outside, I hear somebody wat tell somebody else, 
'•yes oder no!" den I hear nobody wat say noddings, den I hear 
somebod}'^ -av an un er time, "yes oder no!" — den I comes in, un 
you kno wat I see? <lat ukly rascal he have dat woman on a floor 
un got one big knife wat he say, ''yes oder no!" [Spirited] I 
shnatch me dat knife, I take dat dog un drow him away unsay — 
]So! — Don I say dat, don I say dat? [To Ignatius] 

Mohr. The man's mad — heed him not — let him prove it — he 
knows not what he saysf 

Max. You find et out after while. — Den he toll me, he vas only 
sho en — I dink it vas a pooty shentle shoken, dat poor womans she 
gry ust like a shild, un her sheeks run down mit tears, yes — After 
while I find mine sheck mit five dousand <1 dlars un den I gone 
out, when he see dat, he was mad un he shoot me, awer dat good 
womans she knock dat pishtol away. When he fight me dis way 
[Showing fists] I was a man — awer pishtols, no sir! I gone right 
away down on de shtreet un gone in dat shtore wat have dree balls 
out on a .shtring un I buy me dat gun. When I come back mit at 
room, I say. "now I vas not afraid on you!" — awer 1 see nobody — 
wen somebody hit me on de head, dis way — [Gives Officer, who is 
next the stand a blow on the head] ye e-s, he pooty near knock me 
sensible! I dot I get de shpasms — shoor, dats wat for I toll you. — 
Den I find me dat good womans wat 1 save mit my life — she \vas 
dead ! she was dead — when I was outside un buy me dat guw, he 
have an unner shance, un like a dog he kill dat pcor woman — 
[With increasing exci ement] I was mad, I shwear when I find 
mine servant I have revenge! he was iiere now — I take him mit 
las neck un I kill — [Greatly excited rushes at Ignatius, seizes and 
pulls him from his seat throwing him across to L C, then rushing 



45 

forward at him again, he is intercepted by the Officer.— The Court 
has risen — picture] 

Judge. Officer, conduct him to the stand and guard the entrance. 

Mohr. [Aside] I defy him, he cannot prove one solitary word 
of it. [Retires] 

Max Wen I catch em dat time I squeeze em like dough. 

Judge. Proceed now. 

Max. Well, I vas in dat room ust pout two minutes, wen mine 
servant, dat perjured vvillain, comes in mit a boliceman un he tell 
em, rest me I kill his wife. Now Mr. Shudge, dats so, de whole so, 
un nodding but so. 1 could not tell a lie, un uf you heng me right 
away, I would not tell one lie. When I vas a little boy, my poor, 
dear xMiitter she toll me: " Max," she say, "never tell a lie— never 
lell a lie." — She vaa dead now, awer I dont forgot et; when I bin 
fifty years old, I will never forgot what my poor, dead Mutter toll 
me so man}' times! 

Shackles. How often, did you say, you struck your adversary? 

Max. I dont shtruck em at all. I only hit em two times; de 
first time wat I hit em, I miss em, un de Fecon time, I hit em on 
de same blace. 

Judge. Then you did not strike him at all ? 

Max. Ye-e-s, sir, I-I-well dats so. 

Shackles. Have you no witness to testify in your behalf? 

Max. Dere was nobody else dere, you know it pooty well. 

Mohr. Certainly not, how could he have? 

Enter Oakdale R. 

Oakdale. I will answer that! and if 'tis somebody that cannot 
fully establish his innocence, he can at least — turn over a new leaf I 

Mohr. What, you ? Oakdale — impossible ! 

Oakdale Imp;)ssible! Then be assured that this is the first 
possible impossibility. 

Mohr. Why, you did not even witness the arrest, see : 

Judge. Mr. Secretary, swear him. (Oakdale goes to stand) 

Shackles. Mr. Judge, I most emphatically protest — 

Max. Wat's dat — (goes to run from stand but ofl3[cer prevents 
him) 

Shackles. Against that man taking the stand under oath — 

Max. Mr. Judge — 

Judge. Order — 

Shackles. Besides, he would be an in — 

Judge. \ Order — (rises) order — (still to shackles.) 

Max. j Keep quiet — Mr. Shudge — 

Shackles. He would be an indirect — 

Judge. Order — 

Max. Mr. Shudge I toll you somedings — 

Shackles. (Turning to Max) You are guilty — 

Judge. Order, I command — 

Max. Mr. Shudge— 



46 



Shackles (Still to Max) You have plainly shown (Judge em 
barrassed.) 

Max. Order, Mr. Shudge — 

Shackles. (Receiving no attention, turns to Jury) Circumstan- 
tial evidence, clearly, positively and most infalibly points to his 
guilt; besides, he made the self :-onvicting statement that no living 
soul else did witness the deed. 

Max. Mr. Shudge, Shtop dat gass off (pointing to Shackles) 

Judge. Mr. Siiackles will be pleased to seat himself. Mr. 
Dawsillet you may speak. 

Oakdale. I am the proprietor of the " Little Globe Hotel" I was 
busily engaged when I heard loud voices, and a few minutes later, a 
shot fired. As soon as I could leave my post of duty, I proceeded up 
stairs at once; on entering the room, occupied by the plaintiff 
and his wife, I saw noboby and all was quiet. Foreboding some- 
thing serious — as I never liked the looks of that man, hissuspective 
demeanor, his doubtful integrity, and questionable veracity — 

Shackles. Stop. 

Max. Keep quiet, you got no bustness — 

Shackles. You are assuming a phase accusative — 

Judge. Order. 

Max. Yes, sit down, it was a good ding I don't got you nov/ 
Oder — (leaning on lailine it breaks, falls to the floor) Mr. Court, 
ust wait one little bit, I fix em. (Bends over stand but cannot 
reach it, leaning on the stand, his weight breaks the front out, 
which falls into an inclined position. Max falling also, slides 
down the plane on his belly — I mean abdomen) Dat shtand break 
me down un shlide me out. (Returns perplexed, as though nothing 
had happened, cooly facing audience and leaning on that side.) 

Judge. Don't be excited, take it cool, and — 

Max. Shoor. Dat's wat I say. 

Judge, Y''ou will break up the Court if you continue in this 
•lanner. 

Max. Well you kno dat's my fashion. 

Judge. (To Oakdale.) Proceed. 

Oakdale. Not yet satisfied, I advanced into the room and there 
1 found the lifeless body of the alleged Mrs. Hartfeld. A moment 
later, I lieard footsteps, fearing to be discovered, alone, with the 
body, I concealed myself to avoid an impeachment on my part, 
wiiicli, would certainly h ve been the inevitable consequence. 

Shackles. Permit nie to ask you one question — 

Max. You big wing shnakefeeder rattleshnake — (placing his 
hand on Shackle's head, forces him down) sit down ! 

Siiackles. (To 0-ikdale.) That will do, you may sit down. 

Oakdale. When I am ready, if you please! — From my hiding 
place I saw this man, the prosecutor, entering from the adjoining 
room, in gre:it haste and iritation, his cautious 1( ok betraying an 
intricate anxiety which generally accrues to an atrocious crime. 
He stooped to the floorbut what he did then, I could not see. 



4'7 

When he left the room, I heard a shriek, a man stood at the door, 
apparently stunned — 

Max. Dat vas me, Mr. Shudge, don I toll you dat ? Den it 
was dat cow what hit me on de head — ooh — I will gratch your 
eyes out ! 

Shackles. You will like to do more than that, after we have 
done with you. Do you endeavor with your assumed indifference 
and droll humor, at so grave a trial as this, to influence the Jury 
and obtain a verdict in your favor ? 

Max. Wat's de use I gry? I comes free,. I don't make dat 
womens dead, un an udder ding : when I vas mit sensible peoples, 
(pointing off stage) I was sensible, too ; awer when I was mit 
lunadics all round (pointing about at Shackles and Ignatius) den 
I was blendy luny too, un you never find et out 

Judge. Mr. Dawsillet, proceed. 

Oakdale. In a moment that man advanced, only to behold the 
same dire spectacle that I did. Startled with amazement, he 
knelt beside the corse and audibly swore to meet his servant and 
avenge the death of that "poor woman," — at this juncture he was 
surprised by an officer, and the husband of the victim, who charged 
him with the murder. 

Shackles. Why did you absent vourself from the scene of trial 
until now, to thus expugn the Court and attempt to sway the Jury? 

Max. (pointing off) Se uf you don't gone out now, I git some- 
body wat will gone out ! 

Oakdale. I can answer that; because I could not leave my 
business until now; besides, it pleases me extremely, that to your 
disappointment and disgust, I just came in time to Succeed in an 
attempt, as yau sa}', to sway the Jury as it were : because I have 
told facts, downrtght plain facts, against which, your prolate dex- 
terity stands abashed. 

Shackles. After hearing the shot fired, how soon did you arrive 
at the bloody scene ? 

Oakdale. About ten minutes. 

Shackles, You intimate that the plaintiff committed the murder 
himself? 

Oakdale. I did not say so. Inasmuch, I did not see that. 

Shackles. When you entered the room, you saw the prisoner 
bending over the body ? 

Oakdale. {Pointedly) No sir,— I said that I saw nobody and all 
was quiet. 

Scliackles. Oh, you saw nobody — I see !— Have you anything 
more to say ? 

Oakdale. No sir, I have spoken. 

Shackles. That will do, then, — Gentlemen of the Jury ! From 
the testimony given, you will see, that the prisoner was found alone 
with the murdered body ; he had a gun or musket with him, which 
he claims to be his own and with which, on seeing the plaintiff, 
he also attempted to assault him. I may tell you, too, that the 



48 



prisoner entertained an ill feeling toward tlie plaintiff and liia 
victim, especially the wife of the plaintit!'. The concoction given 
by the witnef-s, who ho bluntly tnrned up in favor of him. 
has very little weight in this case : he says he found no one with 
the body, albeit the fact to the contrary, that the ])risoner wag 
arrested beside the body. Indeed, I question whetiier he knew 
anytjiing about tiie tragedy, 'till after the arrest. Noav gentlemen, 
the prisoner did not plausibly explain how he came to be in that 
room — alone with the body — and why he bought this gun but five 
or ten minutes before the blooby deed, as he, himself, testified ; 
this alone would warrant a verdict against him. Taking all this 
into consideration, why then gentlemen, what shall vour verdict 
be? 

Judge. Gentlemen of the Jury ! You have heard the evidence 
for the prosecution — evidence full of discrepencies and statements 
of the most conflictive, improbable and contradictory kind. The 
plaintiff, at the beginning of his statement, very consciously 
claimed that the prisoner wears a coat,surreptitiously obtained from 
his, the plaintiff's room, and subsequently he contradicted his 
assertion, by referring to a note in said coat and then saying he 
did not mean to express that the prisoner had stolen the coat. 
Now gentlemen, this is a fact that must be taken into consideration, 
— On the other side, you have heard the evidence of the prisoner ; 
It was a congenial statement spontaneously uttered with a firmness 
and consistency that evinces tjie utmost truth. Besides, the plaus- 
ible testmiouy of Mr. Dawsillet, fully concurs with and corob- 
orates what the prisoner has said. The question then is ; Did the 
prisoner inflict the fatal wounds? In this Case you must say, 
guilty; if, on the other hand, you believe what the prisoner and 
his witness have told you, then you must say, wo^^wtY^t/. Therefore, 
gentlemen, in the absence of all positive proof — for nothing that 
we have heard here, has verified it — you will retire, and may 
providence enlighten and direct your minds, to find a just and 
proper verdict. (Sits, Jury rises and exits, door K I E) Officer, 
lead the prisoner back to his eel!. (As the last Juryman is about 
to exit. Max detains him, whispers and then) — 

Max. Don you believe it. [Turns, sees Aurora v ho has en- 
tered] Aurora! 

Aurora- Oh, Max! [They embrace] 

Mohr. [Aside] So that is Miss Aurora — I should like to com- 
mand her myself! 

Aurora. They told me you would not be called for the hearing 
'till noon and but now, perchance, I learned that you had already 
been tried and f )und guilty. Tell me it is not true? 

Max. Drue! No, don you believe it, I dink it vas all lies. — 
Awer — dat feller — ooh — [Breaks embrace, towards Ignatius but 
immediately returns] he say he make me square mit me, dey heng 
me anyhow; on I vas ust so innocent like a shild ! — Aurora, come 
un see me, wen I'm hanged ! 



49 

Aurora. Do not despair now and speak thus. You are inno- 
cent, I know you are. Stand firm — this base, villainous, perjured 
imposter will yet be foiled and your innocence in exulataion tri- 
umph. 

Max. Well dat so ! I was — ooh I was grazy. Aurora, you 
was a good girl, now I bin so happiness like after wile ago, 

Officer, (Who has received the verdict, ffives it to the Judcre ) 
The verdict! 

Judge. (Surprised) What — so soon I 

Aurora. Quick, Mr, Judge, what says tlie Jury ? 

Judge. (Looks at it, short pause and regrettingly, replies) 
guilty ! (Aurora screams and staggers; Max supports her) 

Max- Aurora., " shtand firm, dis base willain, impostor, loHl yet 
he foiled and your innocence in exultation triumph^ You see, I 
don't forgot wat you toll me. (Ignatius has come to L, front.) 

Judge. Is it possible, that in the face of such convincing 
evidence, the Jury could say, guilty ! — the prisoner will take leave 
now and retire. 

Mohr, Mr. Judge, I thank you! May I honorably take leave 
now ? 

Judge. Honorably ! (?) — (Aside) Indeed very. — Yes I 

Mohr. (Hypocriiically smiling, to Max) Adieu ! Mr. Mohr, 
I will see you later. — Now farewell to Indianapolis — [is about to 
exit when enters Jayen Faul — Shackles has risen, the Judge is 
also preparing to leave,] 

Jayen. [Still disguised] Not so fast,piohr, I have another 
account for you to balance — stop, I command you ! [As he passes 
the officer — to whom — ] Be on the guard. 

Mohr. Who is it that commands — 

Jayen. Mr. Judge, I accuse that man, Ignatius Mohr, with the 
murder of his wife. Max Harlfeld is innocent, 

Max. See dat, don I toll you. 

Mohr. What — a stranger accuse me with the murder of my wife ? 
Folly ! Prove it — prove it, that is all. 

Jayen. Yes prove it. The cowardly craven who secretly kills 
in the dark, may well cry for proofs of its base deeds, and then 
prate of and feign iiHiocence, but despite thai, I have caged the 
birdie and will cut its wings now I 

Max. Un den I catch em and un pull his fedders ouil 

Jayen. You ask for proofs, do you? You shall have them. 
Disprove you then that this ccat [which Ignatiusconcealed in the 
third act — light colored] stained with blood, was nut worn by you 
on the day of and previous to the murder; disprove you then, that 
this broken knife, stained with blood and your name engraved on it, 
prow that it is woO'oi"^- [Produces the knife from coat, takes 
the broken part from Judge's bench, holds them together.] Mr. 
Judge, I believed the prisoner was innocent It was I who resigned 
from the Jury and hastened straightforward from here to the 
rooms of the inhuman monster, to seaixh for evidence of his guilt ; 



50 

it was I who found his coat there, concealed in the ventihitor flue 
and in it, the missing part of the broken knife ; It is I who new 
boldly stands here and dares assert and suppliment my first charge 
with another— that of corrupt solicitation, that by this }>utrid ma.'s 
of corruption, the Jury was bribed] 

Judge and Aurora. Bribed I 

Judge. By Ijeaven, I suspected this I 

Jayen. Yes, bribed to render a verdict against tlie prisoner — 
ha ! [Sees Jurymen returning from R I E door, runs forces them 
back.] Back I say, all — every one of yon ! [Locks door and 
withdraws the key] Now, gentlemen of the Jury, comfort your- 
selves in there, 'till the law rewards you for your honest treachery! 

Max, Ila, l)a, ha! Adieu, Mr. Mohr, / ivill see you later. 
[Imitating Ignatius ] 

Mohr. Is it not likely that the prisoner himself, placed the 
broken knife in one of my coats, concealed it there to avoid sus- 
picion and subsequently pretend io find the coat, and thus throw 
the guilt on me? This man comes here maliciously inclined, 
despi.~inir me for one thing or another, to influence and deceive, 
or mislead you ? I defy him, whoever he may be ! who are you ? 

Jayen. [Throws ofl" disguise] Jayen Faul !-[all start]-Ah, shrink 
not, look not amazed ! do you know me now — your old friend, 
but now your enemy ! It is my turn now and we will settle our 
difterences in my own way. Remember Ignatius — / am playing 
another part! What say you now ? 

Mohr. What should I say! Why should I shrink from, look 
amazed or fear you? I know you not and .still less do you know, 
who and what / am. 

Jayen. But, unfortuately for you, I only know too well, who 
and what you are : A base, villainous, degraded and treaclierous 
sneak ; a meanly and yet smoothly polished hypocrite, the mur- 
derer of your wife. 

Mohr. What! I a murderer! — A husband murder his wife! 
Impossible. She was always to me, a loyal companion in sorrow 
and joy; a devoted wife — 1 loved her with all a husband's fondness 
and affection, and was ever ready to sacrifice my heart's blood for 
her, drop by drop. Is it likely then, that I could in cold blood, 
murder, or even in the least, harm a beloved and faithful wife? 

Jayen. Reprobate hypocrite! (Half aside) 

Max. Dat man's mad, hit em not, he kno not wat he say! 

Jayen. Fie! despite your relislied eloquence, your pretended 
sorrow, your apparent bewailment and vain hypocrisy — it is likely 
and possible too. Do not affect wonder, when I tell you, that your 
wife, herself confided to me your infidelity and cruelty towards her, 
and that to escape justice and capital punishment, you fled secretly 
from Chicago at midnight and came here with an assumed name — 

Mchr. Prove it, ha, ha, ha! she is dead now, prove it if you 
can. 

Jayen. A fugitive from justice there, you are a refugee in justice 



51 

here, under whose infallible scrutiny you will assuredly receive a 
murderer's reward. 

Mohr. Always give the devil hisjiist dues, so let him whose deeds 
merit such a reward, receive it— not I .'—Have I been committed, 
tried and convicted ? — You have the answer. See! ha, ha, ha — 

Enter George Cleveland, the detective. 

Cleveland. Which of you is Ignatius Mohr? 

Mohr. Hell and damnation, I'm tracked! — (Suddenly) This 
man here, a convict ! (Pointing to Max) 

Max. Don you believe it ! I ves Max Hartfeld, von Delphi. 

Cleveland. (Surveys Max) That man?— No! immpossible. 

Max. Dat's wat I say! (To Ignatius and the others) See dat, 
see dat, see dat ! Dat man toll you I vas nobody else, I was mine- 
self Max Hartfeld — he, he, he! How you kno dat, who vas you? 

Jfiyen. This man, I swear it, is Ignatius Mohr, a criminal fugi- 
tive from Chicago. 

Cleveland. (Starts suddenly) What — no, he is not the Ignatius 
Mohr that I am searching for, he does not answer the description. 

Mohr. (With mock contempt) Ha, ha, ha! (To Jayen) Where 
are you now? You would swear it, would you? Well that pleases 
me! Ha, ha, ha! (Aside) He is so near to me and yet so far — I 
defy them all. 

Cleveland. Mr. Judge — I presume? — 

Judge. I am. 

Cleveland. My interruption here demands an explanation. — 
Two weeks ago, a young girl was most savagely murdered in Chi- 
cago, by an inhuman wretch, who then succeeded in the attempt to 
escape, unknown. Circumstances, subsequently led to the discovery 
of the perpetrator, a notorious character, one Ignatius Mohr, who 
in the meantime had suddenly disappeared. Diligent search was 
made, but no trace of him could be found. Yesterday, the Chief 
of the Secret Service at Chicago, was apprised of the arrest here, of 
a man supposed to be Ignatius Mohr, I have a warrant for his 
arrest, and here is a description of him: " He Is a man of average 
stature, strong, but not stout, hair — black, and on the left side of 
his face, which is fair and beardless, he has an unmistakable brand, 
a broad mark or scar, which he received in a deadly combat." — 

Mohi". But you see, there is no such identical person amongst 
us, so if you desire to centinue the search elsewhere, certainly, zvt 
will detain you no longer. 

Cleveland. Indeed! sarcastic savant ! I will trouble you no 
longer — adieu! (Goes to entrance — Aside) I strongly suspect the 
insolent deportment of that man! (At entrance) Were it not for 
that agreeable beard of yours, I should dare say, you are the very 
man. 

Mohr. (L C) Why you do not mean to say or suspect — 

Max. Hold on! — Dat beard — dat mark mit his face — I dink me 
on somedings, I show you! (Seizes Ignatius, they contest) 



52 

Mohr. All, you would — 

Max. Villain, 1 got you now! [Pulls false beard from Ignatius' 
face and points triumphantly at the scar] See! 

Mohr. Betrayed — now could I drink hot blood ! By liell you 
shall fall with me! [Levels revolver at Max] 

Max. Don you — [Detective in turn draws on Ignatius] 

Cleveland. Hold ! 

Max. [Kuns, jumps on chair then on table, takes gun from 
Judge's stand and also levels it at Ignatius] Now shoot uf you 
blease! [Picture— Max on table. Detective R, Ignatius L — gene-: 
ral excitement aud great surprise] 

Mohr. Damn the luck, I'm undone now, betrayed despite my- 
self, ruined, foiled in everything! 

Max. [Has come down] Well, mine dear Shpitten Devil, how 
you feel now? Maybe you vas only shaken, he! 

Cleveland. Mr. Mohr, in the name of the law, I arrest you, 
you are my prisoner. 

Mohr. By what authority — who are you? 

Cleveland. George Cleveland, the detective! Will you submit? 

Mohr. With my life only! 

Cleveland, It is useless for you to resist any longer. 

Mohr. Back! — Damn ii I'll cheat them yet ! [Shoots himself^ 
reels, Shackles goes to support him] Of!" with you, do not touch 
me — [Throws him off — hysterically, with force exerted] Ha, ha — 
ha — ha! Now I am your's take my body, and [Defiantly] if you 
would have my soul, pursue it down to hell — yes you, all of you — 
and there we shall meet — ha! [Falls with a horribh^; groan — he is 
taken off by Officer and Shackles] 

Max Always gif de devil his dues— well, I dink when Ae Comes 
dere, de devil will gif em pooty many clues. Dat feller he talk so 
terrible — ooh — mine skin was ust like a geeses, — Well Shayen, you 
vas mine rival — 

Jayen. Yes, and to gain the favors and love bestovi^ed on you — 
for myself, I have caused you much grief and sorrow. But, now to 
make my atonement comjileie, I joyfully resign a^^ my claims to 
the affections of Miss Aurora. 

Max. Aurora, you hear dat? _ Shayen you vas a good feller, 
dat sheck wat 1 have for Aurora — [Brings it from pants pocket] 
mine rascal servant he have dat sheck, un he toll me I loose me d<U 
sheck un he never find at check — well, I gif you dat sheck, dat vas 
your's now. 

Jayen. You are very generous, and — 

Max. Never mind wat I was — you save me mit my life, un I 
gif you dat sheck un I make you happy. — Awer you see, mine dia« 
bollicaliical sei'vant hn was catch em in his own drap, un I vas free! 

Aurora. Vice received it's recompense and virtue it's reward. 

Max. Now Aurora you vas mine, now we gone in Delphi, un 
den we gone married ! — [Tableau — Curtain ] 
THE END. 



CHARACTERS. 



Max Hiirtfeiil. — a German "von Delphi." 
Jayen Faul. — Professor of Music. 

Ignatius Mohr. — a ''Chevalier d'industry" fiom Chicago. 
Oakdale Dawsillet. — Proprietor of the " Little Globe." 
Bells Gap. — an Officer. 
Doctor Phaeton. — of the Lunatic Asylum, 
Ninny Adam. — whose name indicates his character. 
Min Cutis. — who fancies he is a King. 
Lank. — who imagines he is of Glass. 
Caracelli. — an Image Vender. 
Judge Primrose. — 
Mr. Vandim. — Clerk of Court. 
Shackles.— Counsel for Prosecution. 

George Cleveland. — a Detective in the Seciet Service of Chicago. 
Aurora Elena Mayflower. — in the Female College. 
Leona Mohr. — Wife of Ignatius. 

Madame DeRuyter. — Proprietress of the Female College. 
Twelve Jurymen, Spectators, &c. 
8^** The Scene is laid in Indianapolis, Indiana. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS I 

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